“Only the little Misses Bruce in their basket-carriage—what dull-looking women they are!”
Nobody commented, however, on her observation, and gradually the little group of girls sank into absolute silence.
From where they sat they could see the basket-carriage waiting at the front entrance—the little ladies had gone inside, all was perfect silence and stillness.
Suddenly on the stillness a sound broke—the sound of a girl running quickly; nearer and nearer came the steps, and the four or five who sat together under the oak-tree noticed the quick panting breath, and felt even before a word was uttered that evil tidings were coming to them. They all started to their feet, however; they all uttered a cry of horror and distress when Hester herself broke into their midst. She was supposed to be lying down in a darkened room, she was supposed to be very ill—what was she doing here?
“Hetty!” exclaimed Cecil.
Hester pushed past her; she rushed up to Susan Drummond, and seized her arm.
“News has come!” she panted; “news—news at last! Nan is found!—and Annie—they are both found—but Annie is dying. Come, Susan, come this moment; we must both tell what we know now.”
By her impetuosity, by the intense fire of her passion and agony, even Susan was electrified into leaving her seat and going with her.