"She's my cousin."
"No matter! She had no business coming here and making you unhappy."
With which Miss Fanny sniffed, if that very inelegant word may be applied to any action performed by so elegant a young lady.
"Yes! she had no business—the old cat!" continued the impulsive Fanny, "and I feel as if I could scratch her eyes out!—to make you cry!"
"But I won't any more," said Redbud, beginning afresh.
"And I will stop, too," said Fanny, becoming hysterical.
After which solemn determination to be calm, and not display any further emotion on any account, the two young ladies, sinking into each other's arms, cried until their white handkerchiefs were completely wetted by their tears.
They had just managed to suppress their emotion somewhat—preparatory to commencing again, doubtless—when the door of the apartment opened, and a servant girl announced to Miss Redbud that a gentleman had come to see her, and was waiting for that purpose at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh! I can't see him," said Redbud, threatening a new shower.
"You shall!" said Fanny, laughing through her tears.