“And we’ve all come together! How delicious!” cried Rosamond, enfolding Anne in her embrace; “I didn’t know you were come!—See, Julius!”
But as Julius turned, a startled look came over Anne’s face; and she turned so white, that Rosamond exclaimed, “My dear—what—she’s faint!” And while Cecil stood looking puzzled, Rosamond had her arm round the trembling form, and disappeared with her, guided and assisted by Nurse Susan.
“Isn’t she—?” exclaimed Julius, in a voice of triumph that made all smile.
“Full of sweet kindness,” said Mrs. Poynsett; “but I have only seen and heard her yet, my dear Julius. Susan will take her to her room—my old one.”
“Oh, thank you, mother,” said Julius, “but I hardly like that; it seems like your giving it up.”
“On the contrary, it proves that I do not give it up, since I put in temporary lodgers like you.—Now Cecil is housed as you preferred, Raymond—in the wainscot-rooms.”
“And where have you put that poor Mrs. Miles?” asked Raymond. “She looks quite knocked up.”
“Yes, she has been very ill on the voyage, and waited at Southampton to gather strength for the journey.—I am so grateful to your good Rose, Julius.—Why, where is the boy? Vanished in her wake, I declare!”
“His venerable head is quite turned,” said Frank. “I had to get inside alone, and let them drive home outside together to avoid separation.”
Raymond repeated his question as to the quarters of Miles’s wife.