"It came to me in Paris."
"Did you believe it?"
"I could not; but papa did. It came from Miss St. Clair's own particular friend, and she told mamma, I think, that you were engaged to her."
"I think particular friends are a nuisance!" said Mr. Thorold.
"Why, she was said here, to be engaged to somebody, - Major -
Major Somebody, - I forget. Major Fairbairn."
"Major Fairbairn!"
"Yes. Why?"
"That explains it," I exclaimed.
"Explains what?" said Mr. Thorold. And such a shower of fire as came from his eyes then, fun and intelligence and affection, never came from anybody's eyes beside. I had to tell him all I was thinking about; and then hurry away to my duties.
But at tea time I could touch nothing. The trembling had reached my very heart.
"Why, you ain't going to give out, are you?" said Miss Yates in a concerned voice. "You've gone a little beyond your tether."