“What is it?” cried the girls in chorus.
“O, listen! It is almost too good to be true!”
“And now, dearest mamma, let me wind up this epistle by a little bit of news. By some strange and opportune circumstance we have no engagement for two weeks, beginning with Christmas morning, and now I mean for a short time to join that precious circle of which I have heard so much. O, you don’t know how impatient I am as the time draws near. I am longing, am homesick for you all. It is sweet, this thing called fame and homage, to be greeted and rewarded with applause, but the heart-felt affection of your loved ones is something different, and O, so much more satisfying.”
This indeed was news and joy. Imelda knelt at Mrs. Leland’s side, laying her head upon her motherly knee,
“O, I am so glad, so glad! for once our circle will be complete.” Glancing up, her eyes met those of Cora. The look of pain and silent reproach therein pierced to her very heart. Hastily rising, with a quick step she was at Cora’s side, winding her arms about her she laid her face to hers.
“Forgive me, little sister. For a moment I forgot that we cannot be complete until one more noble man, your own Owen, shall have joined us.”
Cora smiled through her tears.
“There is nothing to forgive, only sometimes I grow so hungry, so heart hungry, so love hungry. I know everyone here loves me, yet——”
“Yet the supreme love, the love of him who makes life’s sunshine for you, is wanting; is not that so? But why, little one, do you not send him the word which will bring him to you?”
“I do not know; but I have the feeling that for some reason it would be useless. I will wait a little while longer.”