“Matter!” she answered, laughing happily—she had not laughed so for months; “O, nothing—I have heard from Ernest, that is all.”
“Indeed!” answered her sister, with a troubled smile on her dark face; “and what has our runaway to say for himself?”
“Say! O, he has a great deal to say, and I have something to say too. I am going to marry him.”
“Indeed! And Mr. Plowden?”
Eva turned pale.
“Mr. Plowden! I have done with Mr. Plowden.”
“Indeed!” said Florence, again; “really this is quite romantic. But please pick up that tea. Whoever you marry, let us have some breakfast in the meanwhile. Excuse me for one moment, I have forgotten my handkerchief.”
Eva did as she was bid, and made the tea after a fashion.
Meanwhile Florence went to her room and scribbled a note, enclosed it in an envelope, and rang the bell.
The servant answered.