"I can't stay," he remarked. "My day's rounds are not over yet."
But scarcely had Jan reached the outside of the gate when he met the carriage. He put up his hand, and the coachman stopped. Jan advanced to the window, a broad smile upon his face.
"What will you give me for some news, Miss Lucy?"
Lucy's thoughts were running upon certain other news; news known but to herself and to one more. A strangely happy light shone in her soft, brown eyes, as she turned them on Jan; a rich damask flush on the cheeks where his lips had so lately been.
"It doesn't much concern anybody else.—Guess."
"I never can guess anything; you know I can't, Jan," she answered, smiling. "You must please tell me."
"Well," said Jan, "there's an arrival. Come by the train."
"Oh, Jan! Not papa?"
Jan nodded.