CHAPTER V.
"No One Knows Anything About Him" Neither at dinner, on that evening at Manchester Square, nor after dinner, as long as Mrs.Roby remained in the house, was a word said about Lopez by Mr.Wharton.He remained longer than usual with his bottle of port wine in the dining-room; and when he went upstairs, he sat himself down and fell asleep, almost without a sign.

He did not ask for a song, nor did Emily offer to sing.

But as soon as Mrs.
Roby was gone,--and Mrs.Roby went home, round the corner, somewhat earlier than usual,--then Mr.Wharton woke up instantly and made inquiry of his daughter.
There had, however, been a few words spoken on the subject between Mrs.Roby and her niece which had served to prepare Emily for what was coming.

"Lopez has been to your father," said Mrs.Roby, in a voice not specially encouraging for such an occasion.

Then she paused a moment; but her niece said nothing, and she continued, "Yes,--and your father has been blaming me,--as if I had done anything! If he did not mean you to choose for yourself, why didn't he keep a closer look-out ?" "I haven't chosen any one, Aunt Harriet." "Well;--to speak fairly, I thought you had; and I have nothing to say against your choice.