"Nance, what is it? You frighten me! What is it?"
"Oh, it's nothing frightening. It's—it's about Pierce—Pierce Estcoit——"
The words came forth with a tremendous gasp.
"What is it?"
"He—Clo, he wants to marry me. You're not vexed? Oh, Clo, you're not vexed?"
At last Nance's arms relaxed, and she looked up beseechingly into her sister's face.
In sudden nervous relief and amusement, Clodagh laughed; then her face became grave again, and she drew her sister to her with deep, impulsive tenderness.
"Vexed, darling?" she said—"vexed?"
Nance kissed her ecstatically.
"Oh, the relief of having it said!" she cried. "I have felt like a criminal, keeping it to myself. But Pierce said I could do more with one word than a dozen letters."