CHAPTER IV.
The first agitation of the meeting between the sisters was over; the first vivid impressions, half pleasurable, half painful, had softened a little, and Norah and Magdalen sat together hand in hand, each rapt in the silent fullness of her own joy. Magdalen was the first to speak.
“You have something to tell me, Norah?”
“I have a thousand things to tell you, my love; and you have ten thousand things to tell me.—Do you mean that second surprise which I told you of in my letter?”
“Yes. I suppose it must concern me very nearly, or you would hardly have thought of mentioning it in your first letter?”
“It does concern you very nearly. You have heard of George’s house in Essex? You must be familiar, at least, with the name of St. Crux?—What is there to start at, my dear? I am afraid you are hardly strong enough for any more surprises just yet?”
“Quite strong enough, Norah. I have something to say to you about St. Crux—I have a surprise, on my side, for you.”
“Will you tell it me now?”
“Not now. You shall know it when we are at the seaside; you shall know it before I accept the kindness which has invited me to your husband’s house.”
“What can it be? Why not tell me at once?”