“But why?”
“I am going because my sister Sabrina is sick—dying; and there is no one so near to her as I am.”
“I knew not you had a sister.”
“She is the sister of my husband. So, then, she is twice my sister. When Jacobus comes home he will thank me for going to his dear Sabrina. But what brings you here so early? Yesterday I asked for you, and I was told that you were waiting on your good mother.”
“My mother felt sure there was a letter from father, and I came at once to get it for her.”
“Was there one?”
“There was none.”
“It will come in good time. Now, I must go. I have not one moment to lose. Good-bye, dear Joris!”
“For how long, my friend?”
“I know not. Sabrina is incurably ill. I shall stay with her till she departs.” She said these words as they went down the steps together, and with eyes full of tears he placed her carefully in the coach and then turned sorrowfully to his own rooms. He could not speak of his own affairs at such a moment, and he realized that there was nothing for him to do but wait as patiently as possible for Cornelia’s answer.