When breakfast was over there came a hurried leave-taking.
Alexander pulled on his riding-coat in great haste; drew on his gloves and then looked at Drusilla.
“Well,” he muttered to himself, “she is henceforth only like my sister; but I should embrace my sister before leaving her to go on a journey.”
“What are you saying, Alick dear?” inquired Drusilla, who caught the sound, but not the import of his words.
“Nothing. Good-bye, my little Drusa, my darling little Drusa,” he said, folding her to his bosom and kissing her as no man ever kissed his sister yet, and as he had not kissed her for many weeks.
“You do love me then, after all, don’t you, Alick?” she said, in delight.
“Love you! I think I do, little darling! But now I must tear myself from you, Drusa. You will find in my glass drawer a roll of bank-notes amounting to between five and six hundred dollars, for your use while I am gone.”
“Oh, Alick, I shall never want the tenth part in so short a time as a fortnight; and you are to be home in a fortnight, are you not, Alick?”
“Yes, yes, surely. Now then, good-bye!” he hastily exclaimed, giving her another tight hug and long kiss.
“You will write soon, Alick?” she said, following him to the front door.