But Tilly did not know all this, and her anxiety increased after she had heard those words to Will, "Read it at your leisure."
Peggy, too, had heard those words, though it was quite clear she had not heard that other word,—that dreadful name of Smithson; for, "What is it all about, that bit of paper?" she asked Tilly innocently, as Agnes and Will disappeared in the hallway; and Tilly said to her imploringly,—
"Don't ask me now, Peggy,—don't, that's a dear; I can't stand any more now."
And then and there Peggy answered, "I won't, I won't, you dear Tilly; I won't say another thing about it, and we won't think about it—" And then and there "Tum, tum, ti tum" burst forth the band in Strauss's "Morgen Blaetter" waltzes.
"Oh, how I love the 'Morgen Blaetter!'" cried Peggy. "Come, let us get into the dancing-hall as soon as possible. Where's auntie? Oh, there she is, talking with your pretty grandmother."
The next minute auntie and grandmother were sitting side by side in the dancing-hall, watching the two girls as they kept step to that perfect waltz music.
"Isn't it just lovely!" sighed Peggy.
"Lovely!" echoed Tilly.
"And how we suit each other! our steps are just alike."
"Just alike," echoed Tilly; whereat they both laughed, and a little silence between them followed, and then—