"She has asked for you, Nora, more than once. We hardly like to say 'Come;' yet we know how much you love her. Your aunt is fairly worn out with grief and three nights' watching, and I can only say your presence would be a comfort to us all."
Impatiently Nora threw aside the letter and unfastened the string of pearls round her neck, her only ornament.
"How could uncle doubt I would come! Minnie, my pet Minnie, dying, and I not there! Mr. Ross, I must start at once; the last coach north starts in an hour; I know all about it. Uncle went by it the last time he was here. Please let Williams get me a cab. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
Mr. Ross interrupted her. "Nora, you cannot go to-night; think of the hour—and alone, too—it is out of the question. I am very sorry for you, dear; just wait till morning, and I will take you back myself. Don't cry, child; your cousin may not be so very ill; naturally a father gets easily alarmed. Just come away, and try to enjoy yourself; this is your first grown-up ball, you know, and—"
But the indignant flash in Nora's eyes stopped him. "Dance, when Minnie is dying, Mr. Ross! And those who have been as father and mother to me are in such grief! Surely you do not mean it. Not for all the balls in the world would I remain away an hour longer from them than I could help. Please do not detain me, or you will break my heart. I can go alone. As you said this morning, I am a woman now, and surely am to be trusted. I do not wish to take any one away from the party; perhaps Susan will come with me to the coach, if she can be spared."
Mr. Ross stood a moment undecided; but seeing that Nora was resolute, he said kindly, "Well, well—I daresay you are right. Go and get ready; we'll catch the coach yet; and I'll speak to Mrs. Ross. Alick must take my place to-night, and I'll take you to Benvourd myself."
The packing was quickly accomplished, Clara helping and comforting her cousin as much as she could, for in truth she felt for her.
"Poor little Minnie," she said, for Clara knew and loved the little one. "How terribly sad it will be if she dies. O Nora, I don't believe she will. Keep up your heart, dear; she'll get round yet."
Nora's tears were falling fast, but she faltered out the words, "If she dies, Clara, it won't be sad for her; she loves Jesus with all her heart, and he'll take care of her. But oh, how auntie and uncle and all of us will miss her. She was my special pet, my little Minnie."
Mrs. Ross came to help. She was put out at this sudden break-up of plans; and although sorry for Nora, still the worldly life she led had in part hardened her heart, and she wished heartily that the ball had been over ere the bad news had come. But she helped forward the packing, bade Nora an affectionate farewell, and telling her husband to come back as soon as possible, she resumed her preparations for the ball.