“Ah! you found the things on the steps?”
“Yes! I nearly tumbled over them. Have you locked that door?”
“No, but I will.” And Rose glided to the door and locked it. Then she put the screen up between Josephine’s room and the open panel: then she and Jacintha were wonderfully busy on the other side the screen, but presently Rose said, “This is imprudent; you must go down to the foot of the stairs and wait till I call you.”
Jacintha pleaded hard against this arrangement, and represented that there was no earthly chance of any one coming to that part of the chateau.
“No matter; I will be guarded on every side.”
“Mustn’t I stop and just see her happy for once?”
“No, my poor Jacintha, you must hear it from my lips.”
Jacintha retired to keep watch as she was bid. Rose went to Josephine’s room, and threw her arms round her neck and kissed her vehemently. Josephine returned her embrace, then held her out at arm’s length and looked at her.
“Your eyes are red, yet your little face is full of joy. There, you smile.”
“I can’t help that; I am so happy.”