"Poor child!" he thought, as he watched the tears slowly gathering in her eyes; "it has come at last, and she so young! It is cruel in me to watch her; but I must know how deeply it affects her."
Suddenly Marion sprang up with the letter in her hand, and was running through the long parlor-window, when the doctor called to her:—
"Miss Marion, have you forgotten your promise?"
"No, indeed!" answered Marion, without looking round. "Stay there; I'll be back in a moment."
Dr. Drayton put his letter in his pocket, and folded his arms across his breast as he leaned against the pillar, like Marion looking straight before him, but seeing nothing. "If she can hide her wounds so bravely, cannot I do the same?" thought he; "it would be too cruel for me to make her tell me herself; I can at least spare her that." He was so lost in thought, that Marion had again stepped on to the piazza, and stood beside him before he was aware of her presence.
"Now, doctor," she said, startling him by the brightness of her tone, "I'm ready to be questioned. There was quite an important piece of news in the letter."
"You need not tell me," he said very gently, "I know it already."
"And how did you know it?" asked Marion, in a disappointed tone of voice. "I was to be the first one told, and then I was to tell Rachel."
"Your letter was delayed probably, and mine from Fred, written the next day, when every one knew it, came in the same mail."
"But you don't seem a bit glad," said Marion. "I am perfectly delighted."