"This is our room," said Kitty. "Aunt Louisa did not wish us to share it, at first; she thought you would rather have a room to yourself, but I over-persuaded her. We can have such cosy talks. Oh, I have a lot to tell you! There are some things joyful, and some things—well, just a bit worrying. But there is a whole beautiful fortnight when we can talk and talk to our hearts' content."
"And I am a full-blown Sister, absolutely through all my training," said Mollie.
She took off her nurse's bonnet as she spoke, and let her cloak tumble to the floor.
"You look superb, Mollie, in your Sister's dress; but you must not wear it while you are here. You and I are exactly the same height, and one of my pretty dinner dresses will fit you. I have been saying so much to Gavon about you. O Mollie, I don't like to tell you, and yet I think I must."
Here Kitty broke off abruptly. She toyed with the ribbons at her belt; her eyes sought the ground.
"What is it?" asked Mollie, half guessing at the information which Kitty was so anxious and yet so afraid to bestow.
"It is this," said Kitty restlessly: "I am not quite engaged, but I am all but."
"To whom, darling? You know you are very precious to me, and I am much older than you. I shall have to look into this matter."
"Oh, you will like him; you will be more than satisfied with him. You cannot help it," replied Kitty. "It is to Gavon—yes, to dear Gavon. I have loved him for so long. He has not quite absolutely spoken, but he will—I know he will. I think he will say something while you are here. The words often seem to me to be trembling on his lips. O Mollie, this is not like ordinary happiness! it is so deep that it frightens me."
Kitty's face grew very pale. She sank down in a chair, clasping her pretty hands together on her knee. Then she looked full up at her sister.