“Is Ethel there?”
“No; she is, as usual, at Cocksmoor. There are great councils about sending Cherry to be trained for her new school.”
“Would Flora be able to see me, if I were to ride over to the Grange?”
“You may try; and, if papa is not there, I dare say she will.”
“At least, I shall see Meta, and she may judge. I want to see Rivers too, so I will ask if the bay is to be had. Ah! you have the Claude, I see.”
“Yes, it is too large for this room; but papa put it here that I might enjoy it, and it is almost a companion. The sky improves so in the sunset light.”
Norman was soon at Abbotstoke; and, as he drew his rein, Meta’s bright face nodded to him from Flora’s sitting-room window; and, as he passed the conservatory, the little person met him, with a summons, at once, to his sister.
He found Flora on the sofa, with a table beside her, covered with notes and papers. She was sitting up writing; and, though somewhat pale, was very smiling and animated.
“Norman, how kind to come to me the first thing!”
“Margaret encouraged me to try whether you would be visible.”