T CHAPTER XXVIII. "Well, then, I now do plainly see This busy world and I shall ne'er agree, The very honey of all earthly joy -ABRAHAM COWLEY. HAT winter was not a very cheerful one; Mrs. Armfield was ill the greater part of the time with bad colds, which affected the general health of her mind as well as of her body. Julia was out of sorts, and Gerald's sudden departure had thrown a gloom over the Laurence household, so that it was not to be wondered at that Phillis's thoughts turned more than ever towards Earlesmere, and that she longed the time away which must yet pass before she could return. The subject had never yet been mentioned to her by any one of the family; she wished sometimes that they would mention it, for it seemed so very much as if they took it for granted that she was going to remain with them, while in reality nothing was further from her intentions. The spring brought Lord and Lady Exmoor to London, and their arrival caused a general rousing. Mrs. Armfield declined to have any more colds, and entered fully into the enjoyment of watching the effect produced on society by the return of her daughter as Lady Exmoor. "When do you think of returning home, Miss Lascar?" asked Lord Exmoor one day. "You told me, I remember, that your visit was for three years, and I suppose in a few months that time will have expired. Are you really going to leave your cousins then? Or have they prevailed upon you to stay longer?" "Oh no! I shall go back to Earlesmere in a few months, I hope," answered Phillis, and her heart beat quite fast, for it was the first time she had spoken to any one on that subject. "I dare say I shall leave my cousins some time in July, but that is some while to come yet." "And you will really be glad to go back to your quiet country home?" he asked, smiling. "Of course there are one or "Oh yes!" said Phillis. two things which will make me sorry to leave here—there will be some people I shall be sorry not to see again; but I shall feel a great deal more gladness than sorrow about going. I haven't learnt Julia's lesson in the way she wanted me to learn it," she added, laughing, "for I still love the country just as much as ever—more, I think, because I have been away from it so long." "Yes, I am afraid she set herself a hopeless task," said Lord Exmoor; "but I understand your love of the country better than I used to do. I really found last autumn at Philipsborough quite refreshing, far more so than I ever expected, and I think I should be quite contented to spend a good part of the year there." "I am glad," said Phillis, with brightening eyes, but her face sobered again as she thought of Florence's words, that settling at Exmoor Castle would never suit her. "I thought Philipsborough a beautiful place when we were there last October," she said, "and there are enough people, I should think, to make it not very dull-are there not?" "You would think so, I don't doubt," said Lord Exmoor, smiling. "I dare say there are a good many more than at your favourite Earlesmere-certainly more than in your mountain home, which you once told me about." "Oh, there was none there!" said Phillis, "but that was the most beautiful home you can imagine! A great many people would have spoilt it." He laughed. "And it is just the want of those people which makes Florence wish that Exmoor Castle were in some other situation," he said; and Phillis thought there was a shade of disappointment in his tone. "But she will enjoy London all the more after her quiet winter, and I must not keep her at Philipsborough too long; of course she finds it very quiet." "Yes, I dare say," said Phillis; and as she saw him glance affectionately towards his wife, who stood talking at the other side of the room, she felt sorry for him: Florence's proud face shewed so very little sign of ever yielding to any of his wishes while she could obtain her own. "What are you talking about?" asked Julia, joining them. "I heard the mention of Earlesmere a little while ago, which filled my mind with very gloomy forebodings. Eustace, I am in despair! There remain but two months before Phillis will be entitled to return there, if she chooses, and I feel that my teachings have not produced the least effect upon her." "So she has been telling me," said Lord Exmoor. "I am afraid you must make up your mind to lose her.” "I have made up my mind," said Julia, in a calmly resigned tone; "I became aware long ago that she had not the remotest intention of altering her decision, and would fly back to Earlesmere at any moment, if we would let her. The strange thing is that the prospect should make me uncomfortable. I don't generally trouble myself about arrivals or departures, but I have a vague feeling that I shall not enjoy life after she is gone. Phillis, my dear, I believe you have been gradually producing a revolution in my system." "Will you miss me?" asked Phillis a little wistfully; "I am sorry, but I am a little glad too, because I thought when I came here that no one would care for me.' "So You always were a ridiculous child!" said Julia. you have quite determined that as soon as your twenty-first birthday has passed you will go back post-haste to Earlesmere? Well, I know it is no use to try and alter your determinations, and it would be especially useless in this case, when we consider the great medicinal attractions of a place like Earlesmere." "What do you mean?" asked Lord Exmoor, laughing, while Phillis blushed, and wondered why she need do so. "Is not your cousin well, that she allows such considerations to weigh with her?" "I believe so," answered Julia gravely; "but I won't go on, for I observe an indignant colour rising in her cheeks. Phillis," she added, as Lord Exmoor moved away, "I think it is very horrid of you to be so glad to run away from us. I don't half believe papa will let you go." "Yes he will," said Phillis, "because it was all arranged long ago, and he can't help it now. But, Julia, you must not think I am not at all sorry to go, because I shall be very sorry to leave you-you have been so kind to me.' "Kind!" said Julia; "I don't think so. I have considered it my duty to protect you from the attacks of malicious persons, but even in that I have not always succeeded; and if I care more for you than for most people, it is not from any goodness of my own, but simply that I can't help it. But I mean to come and see you some day, so don't forget to invite me, or I shall come and take you by surprise." "I will ask you," said Phillis. "I should like you to come very much; but I thought you couldn't bear Earlesmere? You said so when you came to see me that day." "Oh, I dare say!" said Julia; "but when you are gone, I shan't know in the least what to do with myself here. Last winter was as dull as possible; I felt like a chrysalis, with no hope of ever becoming a butterfly. And the Laurences have been as grumpy as could be, just because that stupid Gerald chose to take himself off all in a hurry.” Julia ended with something very like a sob, which she turned into a laugh as she met Phillis's eyes fastened wonderingly upon her. "Well, don't you think it was very foolish of him?" she said. "Why do you look so grave, Phillis? It isn't my fault." "Yes, I think it is," said Phillis. "I think you were very unkind to him, Julia.” "Unkind, indeed!" said Julia, tossing her head. "Why, pray?" "Because you played with him," said Phillis warmly, "and made him think you liked him much better than you did, and I think that is very wrong." "Well, "A nice lecture you are giving me!" said Julia. it's too late now, for he is gone, and there's an end of it. Perhaps you would have me write and beg his pardon?" "I wish you wouldn't laugh at it," said Phillis earnestly, "because I am very sorry.” "Never mind, my "For me or for him?" asked Julia. dear little Phillis; it's no use 'crying over spilt milk,' you know-I never do." Phillis was not so sure about that, but she did not tell Julia so, and began to talk of other things. She was very |