“Oh, no,” answered Paul; “only sorry I have stayed from home so long.”
“I hope you have not been unkind to my little cousin,” said Warren changing the subject, as he thought Paul was really thinking of his mother.
“Been unkind to her? been unkind to your cousin?” said Paul, looking Warren squarely in the face; “I would sooner cut my right hand off than say one word to offend that lovely little girl.”
Warren saw he was deeply troubled as he answered, “Paul, what then is the matter?”
“I cannot tell you; go find your cousin. Perhaps she will tell you.”
Paul’s voice trembled, and Warren readily guessed the cause, as he thought Paul had sued for the hand of his cousin and had been refused. He went to find Nettie and he thought she would readily tell him all he wished to know. He looked, but could not find her anywhere among the company. At last he found Minnie and asked her where Nettie was.
“I have not seen her for a long time; I saw her last with Mr. Burton.”
“She is not with him now and has not been for some time. I wish you would go up to her room and see if she is there,” said Warren, “I fear something is the matter with her.”
Minnie ran softly upstairs to her room. She heard someone walking to and fro as if in a hurry. She gently rapped at the door and a trembling voice bid her come in.
“You know you are always welcome, Minnie.”