The sisters were standing hand in hand, and at the mention of these names their fingers fluttered, then tightened in their clasp. Gerald found his voice.
"Is she ill?" he exclaimed. "Do not hide anything from me, I beg!"
The sisters looked nervously at each other; the elder was first to speak.
"Are you aware that we have received a visit from a lady well known in the town?"
"No," said Gerald. "Who is the lady and what has her visit to do with Miss Braham?"
There was a ring of genuine honesty in his voice, and it made its impression. The elder lady touched his arm gently.
"Tell me," she said, "In what special manner are you interested in Miss Braham?"
"Madam," replied Gerald, "I hope very soon to have the happiness of calling her my wife."
The sisters gave each other a bright look, and the younger lady said, "It is cold standing here, and my sister is not strong. Will you not walk into the house?"
They accepted the invitation, Gerald gladly, Leonard with curiosity as to what the sisters meant when they said they were in great distress about Emilia.