“Then I will leave you to your preparations for the journey,” said Sybil, rising.
Rosa also stood up.
“There will be much to be done in a short time. Will you let me send my maid to help yours?” inquired Sybil, with a hesitating smile.
“Thanks, dear madam. I shall be much obliged,” replied Rosa, with a bow.
“And there is yet another request I have to make,” added Mrs. Berners, pausing with her hand upon the latch of the door—“Will you kindly meet us at breakfast at eight o’clock to-morrow morning in our private sitting-room, so that I may make you acquainted with my husband before we all start on our journey together?”
“With pleasure, dear lady! It is your will to load me with benefits, and you must be gratified,” replied Rosa, with a faint smile.
“Then I will come myself and fetch you, a little before the hour,” added Sybil, playfully throwing a kiss as she darted through the door.
When she re-entered her own apartment, she found her husband impatiently pacing up and down the floor.
“How very long you have been, my darling Sybil,” he said, with all the fondness of a newly-wedded lover, as he went to meet her.
“Oh, I am so glad you thought it long!” she answered mischievously, as she took his hand and pulled him to the big easy-chair and pushed him down into it.