Esther was reading, lying on the sofa, her dark, beautiful head against the yellow, frilled cushions. She turned a leaf before she replied.
“Oh, only father and Alan Courtney,” she said, with a studiously matter-of-fact air.
“I thought so!” Nell exclaimed, with a deep breath; then she sat down at the foot of the sofa and looked at Esther.
“Well?” Esther said, feeling the gaze before she reached the end of the next page; then she smiled.
“Is he really asking father?” Nell asked breathlessly.
“I’m not at the keyhole,” Esther replied.
“And I wish I was,” Nell said with fervour.
Then they looked at each other again, and again Esther smiled. “How pretty she looked to-night!” she said meditatively.
[91]
]“Very, very,” Nell answered eagerly; “why, I couldn’t help staring at her.”
“I’m very fond of Alan myself; he’s a thoroughly good fellow. I think they are excellently suited,” the young stepmother said.