"Ay, ay; I hear them well enough. But who is to open this telegram and tell us what is in it?"
"Ah, Kate, do not mind what is in it. Lift me in thy arms, dear Kate, and put me in my chair by the window."
"Well, have patience a moment, and I will see if I can make out the words. I am a regular blockhead at reading; but the messenger is waiting at the door to see if there is any answer, and that silly girl may not be back for an hour."
Kate turned a little aside, as she tore open the envelope, and looked back a moment at Violet with an evident nervousness of manner.
"Ah, God be thanked! it is no bad news. It is from the good lady at Gützberg. She will be here this afternoon."
But Violet did not hear one word Kate said. A great hope was rising in her bosom. The sound of the angels' voices was drawing nearer and nearer, and she could now almost catch the very words they were singing. It was growing clear to her that the procession must be advancing up the street.
"Kate, Kate, where art thou going?" she cried suddenly, as the old servant moved towards the door. "Wilt thou not carry Violet across to her chair?"
"Yes, yes, in a moment. I am only going to the street door, and I shall be back immediately."
By the time she returned to the room Violet's cheeks were burning with excitement, and there was a look in her eyes which almost frightened the old servant.
"Lift me to the window!" she cried, almost passionately. "The angels are coming! they have wings! I must see them! they are coming up the street!"