Frank still sat, with his head
buried in his hands against the table, listening.
"Tell me more," he said, at every pause.
"I think I have told you all now," said Maggie, at last. "At least, it is
all I recollect at present; but if I think of anything more, I will be sure
and tell you."
"Thank you; do." He was silent for some time.
"Erminia is coming home at Christmas. She is not to go back to Paris again.
She will live with us. I hope you and she will be great friends, Maggie."
"Oh yes," replied she. "I think we are already. At least we were last
Christmas. You know it is a year since I have seen her."
"Yes; she went to Switzerland with Mademoiselle Michel, instead of coming
home the last time. Maggie, I must go, now. My father will be waiting
dinner for me."
"Dinner! I was going to ask if you would not stay to tea. I hear mamma
stirring about in her room. And Nancy is getting things ready, I see. Let
me go and tell mamma. She will not be pleased unless she sees you. She has
been very sorry for you all," added she, dropping her voice.
Before he could answer, she ran up stairs.
Mrs. Browne came down.
"Oh, Mr. Frank! Have you been sitting in the dark? Maggie, you ought to
have rung for candles! Ah! Mr. Frank, you've had a sad loss since I saw you
here--let me see--in the last week of September. But she was always a sad
invalid; and no doubt your loss is her gain.
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