“You want to see me; is it about a dress?” she asked; for Meg had half unconsciously picked up one of the magazines and opened it at “The Latest in Skirts.”
“No,” said Meg. “It is about my brother Philip I have come.” She put the paper down; and Miss Jones, somewhat overawed by the quiet dignity of her manner, had small idea of the way her heart was beating.
“By an accident it came to my knowledge that you and my brother were thinking of an immediate marriage,” Meg said; “and I came to have a quiet talk to you, Miss Jones, because I felt sure you could not know quite all the unhappiness such a course would bring.”
Miss Jones’s fine eyelashes were lying on her cheek; her face glowed a little with sudden colour. Pip had not been to see her the night before, as Meg knew; he had had an engagement that she took care he should not break, and now this early morning visit anticipated him.
“He told you?” she asked in a low tone.
“Yes, when I had found out everything,” Meg answered. Then she leaned a little more towards the pretty dressmaker.
[119]
]“[Miss Jones], he is such a boy, poor Philip. Since you love him so much, how can you bear to spoil his future?”
“[‘MISS JONES, HE IS SUCH A BOY, POOR PHILIP.’]”
Miss Jones lifted her eyes and bridled a little.