“My poor dear Jack; how little you know her! You never sorrowed over your last parting as she did. We have had all of us great reverses. They, as well as ourselves; and that spirit of Julia's—there is another name for it than mockery—has carried her through her troubles better than a more pretentious philosophy.”
“But she is not even friendly with me, Nelly. None of you make me feel what I have sunk to as she does.”
“There, again, you are unjust—”
“Right or wrong, I'll bear it no longer. I only wait now till Gusty comes back. I want to shake his hand once more, and then, girl, you have seen the last of me.”
Before Nelly could reply, Julia and her brother had joined them.
“Here 's news,” said George, showing a letter,—“Augustus will be with us to-morrow; he only writes a few lines to say,—'I have nothing particularly cheering to report, and it will all bear keeping. I mean to be at home on Wednesday next. I am all impatience to see Jack; the thought of meeting him more than repays me my reverses here. Give him my love.—A. Bramleigh.'”
“We shall have plenty to do to prepare for his arrival,” said Julia. “We must postpone our visit to the chapel. Would this illustrious prince condescend to help us to move tables and chests of drawers?”
Jack threw a very significant glance towards Nelly, as though to say, “She is at the old game.”
“Well, sir? I wait your answer,” said Julia.
“For twenty-four hours I am at your orders,” said Jack.