'To be a dependent on Cousin James, and a member of his household, would be more than flesh and blood could stand!'
'Can you imagine the life of Cousin Helen's companion?'
And so on, until throwing back her little head importantly, Elfie was able to protest.
'I know you won't approve of it, but I have decided that I shall go, and you must look at the advantages and make the best of it if you want to help me.'
'You shall never go with my consent,' said Agatha, roused from her usual placidity.
'Then,' said Elfie, laughing, 'I shall go without it, or rather, I shall never rest till I have coaxed a consent out of you. Think of living in the dear old place we all love so well, in the lap of luxury, with nothing to do but dress well, and eat well, and order the dinners, and see that the servants do their work properly! And hasn't it just come at the right time, when my future was so unsettled? Now if Clare succeeds in her plan we shall be all provided for, and life will go smoothly again. And we must comfort ourselves with the thought that we are only paying visits away from home, and perhaps next Christmas we may get together again!'
She rattled on, and then ran out of the room to hide the little choke in her throat, and her sisters looked at each other in bewilderment.
'I never could have thought Elfie would have entertained the idea for a minute,' said Agatha; 'she cannot have the same feelings we have about Cousin James if she can so calmly accept his offer. But she was away in Germany, I remember, when it all happened. I suppose it is rather attractive to her than otherwise. She does not know Cousin Helen as we do.'
'She has no proper pride,' said Gwen, with flashing eyes; and then she pulled herself up.
'Well, I have driven her to it. That will be consolation to me!'