"Going to what? Why Eleanor—what is the matter?"
"Nothing—if not that."
"Why Eleanor!" said the little one in growing astonishment, for Eleanor's distress was evidently great, and jumping at conclusions with a child's recklessness,—"Eleanor!—don't you want to be married?"
"Hush! hush!" exclaimed Eleanor rousing herself up. "How dare you talk so, I did not say anything about being married."
"No, but you don't seem glad," said Julia.
"Glad! I don't know that I ever shall feel glad again—unless I get insensible—and that would be worse."
"Oh Eleanor! what is it? do tell me!"
"I have made a mistake, that is all, Julia," her sister said with forced calmness. "I want time to think and to get right, and to be good—then I could be in peace, I think; but I am in such a confusion of everything, I only know I am drifting on like a ship to the rocks. I can't catch my breath."
"Don't you want to go to the Priory?" said the little one, in a low, awe-struck voice.
"I want something else first," said Eleanor evasively. "I am not ready to go anywhere, or do anything, till I feel better."