"It is almost evening at last!"
At that moment Victoria appeared at the door.
"Come in," Mellen said; "what do you want?"
Victoria entered on tip-toe, though she knew plainly enough that her young mistress was awake, and whispered in the doleful semitone she reserved for sick rooms:
"If you please, Mister Fuller's just arrived, and he's a asking after all of you in a breath."
Elsie started up on her pillows, and the brother and sister looked at each other in blank dismay when they thought of the blow that must be inflicted upon the warm, honest heart of Elizabeth's cousin.
"Go and say that we will be down," said Elsie, recovering her presence of mind.
Victoria departed, and Grantley cried out passionately:
"How can I tell him? Poor Tom, he will nearly die."
"You must not tell him yet," said Elsie, "not one word—just say Bessie is absent."