"I have news for you, dear," Miss Blanchet said.
"If it please the destinies, not news of any more friends! Why, we shall be like the hare in Gay's fable if we go on in this way."
"Not of any more friends, darling, but of one friend. My brother has been here."
"Oh!"
"Yes; and he is longing to see you."
Minola sincerely wished she could say that she was longing to see him. But she could not say it, even to please her friend and comrade.
"You don't want to see him," said Mary Blanchet in piteous reproach.
"But you do, dear," Miss Grey said; "and I shall like to see any one, be sure, who brightens your life."
This was said with full sincerity, although at the very moment the whimsical thought passed through her, "We only want Mr. Augustus Sheppard now to complete our social happiness."