“I am not afraid of that, for she has a high sense of duty for herself and for all who approach her.”
“And what is to become of Ida and of you, Mary?”
“I cannot think,” said Mary with a sweet, sad smile. “But I suppose we shall both of us be happy in the happiness of those who are so dear to us. It is worse for me than for her. She loses a sister. I lose a brother and sister both.”
“You don't know that, Mary. Nobody has proposed to me, and, if somebody did, I am not certain what answer I should give.”
“But I am,” rejoined Mary.
I clapped my hand over her mouth, exclaiming, “Don't say it, Mary dear. Let me be free and feel free. I am frightened at the thought of promising myself to any one, even where I may feel I could love.”
“Be free, dear sister, until the moment has come when you are sure it is God's will you should enter on another phase of woman's destiny.”
“And may I never do so, except to accomplish his will!” I replied; and with one long kiss on dear Mary's brow I turned away, for we heard approaching footsteps.
Frank and Elizabeth entered first. Ida and Padre Cataldo followed. I looked to see if there were a fifth figure behind, and was rather relieved to find Don Emidio was not there. I needed time to collect my thoughts before I saw him again. Perhaps, after all, Mary was mistaken, and attached more importance to this matter than was necessary. At any rate, I was in no hurry to see Don Emidio again.
Frank seemed in high spirits, and Elizabeth looked serenely, calmly happy. Her soft manner and her slow, graceful movements had long ago won for her the nickname of Pussy; particularly as her velvet ways were not unmixed with a playful slyness; so that from time to time she came out with some remark far more acute and incisive that at first you would have given her credit for. It was a relief to me when I heard Frank say that he had been particularly anxious to induce Padre Cataldo to join us, because he had promised to give us the account of an unfortunate man whose execution he had attended some years ago in the course of his priestly ministrations. Ida was looking as thoughtful as Mary; and I saw her eyes constantly wandering to where Frank and Elizabeth were sitting together. We were all too preoccupied to talk, but were very glad to listen to a long story.