Nathanael looked surprised. “It is true, I did; and I told my brother to meet me here this afternoon. Did you know that too?”
“I guessed it. You are doing right, quite right. I knew you would. I knew you, Nathanael.”
She held out her hand to him, warmly.
“Dear Anne! But you forget—it is not I only who have to do it.”
“Not a word! Go and tell her all. Let her be the first to hear it. Away with you! the sun is coming out. Run and talk in the garden-alleys, children!”
Her manner, so playful, yet full of keen penetration, drove them away like a battery of sunbeams.
“What does she mean?” said Agatha, looking up puzzled, as they stood in the hall.
“She reads people's minds wonderfully clear; she always did, but clearer than ever now. It is strange. Agatha, do you think”—
“I think all sorts of things about her—different and contrary every hour. But the chief thought of all is, that you must go to Havre at once. I long for Uncle Brian's coming. How soon can you return?”
“As soon as practicable, you may be sure of that. But you must relax your interest even in Uncle Brian just now; I want to talk to you. Shall we go, as Anne said, into the garden-alleys?”