Nell was glad to submit to Molly's most comforting ministrations.
"But I think I do know what it means," murmured the elder girl as she listened to the gentle breathing of her little sister by-and-by.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LORRIMERS OF THE TOWERS.
The morning post brought a letter from Mrs. Lorrimer, which set all curiosity at rest. This letter was addressed to Jane Macalister, who read it through first, with feverish haste and brows drawn darkly together, then again straight from the beginning more slowly, and then a third time, during which she surreptitiously wiped her eyes, and hoped the children had not seen her do so.
Jane was seated before the tea equipage at the head of the long breakfast table. Molly was helping her brothers and sisters to porridge, cups of milk, and bread and jam, in her usual deft fashion. Jane raised her eyes and encountered the brown ones of Molly.
"Well, Jane," said the young girl in a steady voice; "what is the news?"
"It's for you all to know, my dears," said Jane Macalister in a steady voice. "Your mother has asked me to break it to you all. It's just a question whether you shall all hear it together, or whether Molly shall hear it by herself first. I think Molly must decide that point."