house-tops.

There was something almost childish in this despair of Aubrey, for he
had not become alarmed for the result of the trial. His misery was
chiefly shame at his supposed treason to friendship, and failure in
manly reserve; and he could not hold up his head all the evening, but
silently devoted himself to Mab, endeavouring to make her at home,
and meeting with tolerable success.

Tom was no less devoted to Ella Ward. It was he who had brought her
home, and he considered her therefore as his charge. It was curious
to see the difference that a year had made between her and Minna.
They had the last summer been like one child, and had taken the
stroke that had orphaned them in the same childish manner; but
whether the year from eight to nine had been of especial growth to
Minna, or whether there had been a stimulus in her constant
association with Averil, the present sorrow fell on her as on one
able to enter into it, think and feel, and assume her sweet mission
of comfort; whilst Ella, though neither hard nor insensible, was
still child enough to close her mind to what she dreaded, and flee
willingly from the pain and tedium of affliction. She had willingly
accepted 'Mr. Tom's' invitation, and as willingly responded to his
attentions. Gertrude did not like people in the 'little girl' stage,
and the elder sisters had their hands and hearts full, and could only
care for her in essentials; but Tom undertook her amusement, treated
her to an exhibition of his microscope, and played at French
billiards with her the rest of the evening, till she was carried off
to bed in Mary's room, when he pronounced her a very intelligent
child.