Part 25 (1/2)

”I have something to say,” replied Boris. ”Something most 'portant, I can tell you.” His face flushed with anger; he dragged Molly into the ante-room.

”There she is, Nell,” he exclaimed; ”now you can tell her.”

”What is the matter, Nell, darling?” exclaimed Molly, struck by the expression on her little sisters face.

”Molly, Molly,” exclaimed Nell, with a sort of gasp in her voice.

”What is it, Nell, dear? Do speak; they're all waiting for me and I must go.”

”Oh, must you go? Do stay, do stay; I have something very important to say; its a message.”

”A message!” exclaimed Molly; anxiety stealing quickly into her voice; ”is it anything about--about father and mother?”

”Yes, yes; and n.o.body else is to know; you will stay?”

”Yes, I'll stay. Wait there a minute, and I'll be back with you.”

Molly ran up to Hester, who was waiting for her in the entrance hall.

”Good-bye, Hetty,” she said, kissing her; ”I'm not going back with you.”

”What in the world do you mean, Molly?” exclaimed Hester. ”You know you have promised to stay with us for another day or two, and I want you to know more of Mrs. Willis, and--why, what's the matter, dear?”

”Nell is not quite well, I think,” replied Molly; ”anyhow, I must stay here to-night; don't say anything to make Nora anxious; good-night.”

”I am afraid, Hester, that we must not keep the horses waiting any longer,” said Sir John in his most measured tones. ”Good-night, Molly, we shall be pleased to see you at the Grange to-morrow if you can tear yourself away from domestic cares.”

Hester went away, the carriage door was shut, and a moment later the last of the visitors had departed.

Molly rushed back for one moment to Nell.

”I am here,” she said, ”but if you have a secret to tell me, I can't talk to you for the present without exciting the curiosity of the whole house. Go upstairs and get into bed, and I'll be with you as soon as I can. I daresay my bed is not ready for me, so I'll sleep with you to-night.”

A ghost of a smile of pleasure flitted across Nell's face as she glided away.

Molly went back to the rest of her brothers and sisters. Jane Macalister, still true to her Minerva costume, was seated at the supper table, eating a large slice of cold game pie.

”I am famished,” she said; ”it was the most fatiguing thing I ever did, and the dressmaker has made the sleeves of this horrid dress a great deal too tight, and the neck chokes me. Now, I hope this is the last folly of the kind that we shall have here for many a long day. I, for one, refuse to be laced up in this heathen mythology style again. Now then, my dears, all of you to bed. Molly, what in the world are you staying here for? We didn't expect you, and your room isn't ready.”

”Oh, I'll sleep with Nell,” replied Molly.

”Very inconsiderate indeed,” replied poor Minerva. ”Nell's bed is only large enough for herself, and she's like a feathers weight--with those dark circles under her eyes too. I saw her flying about and absolutely going out on to the lawn this evening. Nell is a great deal too excitable, and certainly her sleep ought not to be disturbed.”

”I promise not to disturb it,” replied Molly; ”you know, Jane, I'm not an exciting sort of person.”

”No more you are, my dear; but it frets me to have my arrangements put out by fads. However, off with you to bed now. Dear me, I am famished.

If Minerva felt as I do, I pity her, poor soul. I'll have a gla.s.s of stout; there's nothing like it when you're worn out. Good night, Molly.”