"Time enough to think of that," said Mollie. "Come and sit down. It is good to have a chat with you, Kitty. I may as well say it; I hope my chance to do something great will come before I am much older. I am just pining to be doing, and helping, and saving lives. Oh, mine is a grand mission!"
"I suppose it is," answered Kitty. "But, after all," she added, her eyes sparkling, "it is not half so grand as being engaged to the man you love best in the world. Oh, I do hope Gavon will soon speak, for I love him so very, very much!"
The girls chatted a little longer, and then Kitty ran downstairs to tell Mrs. Keith that Mollie had arrived. A young man, with dark hair, a straight moustache, and an otherwise clean-shaven face, was standing in the hall. He turned as she approached.
"Is that you, Kitty?" he said.
She ran up to him. He held out both his hands, and clasped hers. Her face turned first crimson, then pale.
"What is the matter?" he asked. "Have you heard what I was talking about to the mater?"
"You must not be frightened, Kitty," said Mrs. Keith. "After all, nothing may come of it; but Keith says the news from the Transvaal is anything but reassuring."
"War may be declared at any moment," said Keith.
"But your regiment won't be ordered abroad?" cried Kitty, with a catch in her voice.
"I hope it will!" he replied. "I want to get a bit of real fighting. Some stiff active service would suit me down to the ground."