'We'll have it up here; Barnes will bring it up.'
'Oh, that will be so nice.'
The girls drew closer to the fire, and in its uniting warmth they looked into the ardent face of their friendship, talking, at first, conscious of the appropriateness of their conversation; but soon forgetful of the more serious themes they had been discussing, questions were asked and answered, and comments passed, upon the presentations, the dresses, the crowds, upon all their acquaintances.
'It is given out, Alice dear, that Lord Kilcarney is coming down to stay at Brookfield. Is it true?'
'I have heard nothing of it. Whom did you hear it from?'
'Well, the Duffys wrote it to my sisters. The Duffys, you know, have all the Dublin news.'
'What dreadful gossips they are! And the wonderful part of it is that they often tell you that things have happened long before they do happen.'
'Yes; I have noticed that. They anticipate the news.'
The girls laughed lightly, and Cecilia continued:
'But tell me, which do you think he admires most, Olive or Violet? The rumour goes that he pays Violet great attentions. The family is, of course, wild about it. She hasn't a penny piece, and Olive, they say, has a good deal of money.'