'He is very happy,' she replied, smiling over the girl's enthusiasm.
'How sweetly calm you look. I should not feel so in your place. I should be pining for my lost liberty, I verily believe. How long have you understood each other? Ever since Roy and Polly have come to their senses?'
'No, indeed; only this afternoon.'
'Only this afternoon?' incredulously.
'Yes; but it seems ages ago already. Ethel, you must not mind if I cannot talk much about this; it is all so new, you see.'
'Ah, I understand.'
'I knew how pleased you would be, you always appreciated him so; at one time I could have sooner believed you the object of his choice; till you assured me otherwise,' smoothing the wavy ripples of hair over Ethel's white forehead.
'Women do not often marry their heroes; Dr. Heriot was my hero,' laughed the girl. 'I chose you for him the first day I saw you, when you came to meet me, looking so graceful in your deep mourning; your face and mild eyes haunted me, Mildred. I believe I fell in love with you then.'
'Hush, here comes Richard,' interrupted Mildred softly, and Ethel instantly became grave and rose to her feet.
But for once he hardly seemed to see her.