“Oh, Embrance,” gasped Joan, fairly breaking down now that the door was shut behind her, “do be glad to see me! I have taken you by surprise, haven’t I? But you said you would always help me, so I’ve come.”
She took off her hat, and sat down on the sofa, dragging Embrance with her. She was a young, fair girl, graceful in every movement, with a small, delicate face, surrounded by masses of yellow hair. Her blue eyes were full of tears, and her pretty lips quivered.
“My darling,” said Embrance, tenderly, holding her by both hands, “of course you came if you wanted me; but you are so tired and cold, I will ring for some hot water and make you fresh tea, and when you are rested you shall tell me all about it.”
“Let me tell you now,” said Joan, excitedly. “Oh, Embrance! it is so dull at home now that you are gone, and Mrs. Clemon is gone, and everybody I care for! And I don’t get on with my painting, and they cracked my best plate just when I wanted to send it to the Exhibition at Exeter.”
“Well, never mind. You must begin another one,” said Embrance, coaxingly, almost as if she had been speaking to a child, while she cut thin slices of bread-and-butter, and produced cake from the recesses of a cupboard. “Tell me, is your grandfather in London?”
“No; he’s at home, and Emily, too. I said that I should like to come to you, and they said very well—I must write and ask you if it would be convenient. And then I packed a bag, and just came up by the next train.”
“My dear Joan, they will think that you are lost.”
“No they won’t. I wrote a letter to grandpapa before I came away, and he had given his consent, you know. Are you shocked, Embrance?”
“Not in the least.” Embrance’s dark eyes rested on her friend with a look that showed how completely she meant what she said. “But I should like to hear the rest of the story, Joan. There is something more than a cracked plate.”
“You are a real conjuror. I believe you know all about it without my telling you.” Joan hung her head, and went on pathetically, “Alfred Brownhill has been tiresome again, and grandpapa is bent upon my accepting him, and Emily keeps on trying to persuade me. She says that it is ridiculous for a girl in my position to throw away such a good chance. I am tired of being told so often that I’m dependent; so——”