"And what now?" I asked, eagerly.
"Her answer came. Brandon, she's a trump; she's a gem; and so's her letter. Mother's got it, and is writing to her herself. I'm inexpressibly humbled, but somehow or other happier than I've ever been." And the boy and I shook hands warmly, and Mr. Brandon bethought himself that that blessed Bella should have the loveliest Easter present the avuncular purse could buy.
"What did Bella say?" he asked.
"Oh! I can't quite tell you. It was all just so sweet and warm-hearted and congratulatory (though that is possibly premature), and just as lovely a letter as ever was written."
"And we may look for two weddings in the —th Cavalry, then?"
But Mars' features clouded. "Vinton and Miss Summers will be married next month; for Vinton says we may expect to be ordered to the plains with the coming of summer, but no such luck for me. I have precious little hope just now."
"And has Miss Carrington heard of our Bella?" I asked, mischievously.
"Good heavens! I hope not. That would be the death-blow to everything."
Yes, it struck me that there would be a weapon that Miss Kit would use with merciless power.