Father is at home, and mother is
unusually well, and I thought I would best make the most of the
opportunity."
Crossing the room to the table, she stood with her back to her
cousin, while she smoothed the feathers in her hat. Then, without
turning, she asked abruptly,--
"How is Mr. Weldon?"
"Better."
"Out of all danger?"
"Yes. Not that he has been in much danger, anyway."
"Oh, I thought--"
Then silence fell.
Alice, meanwhile, was busy with a swift calculation. Five days, in
these troubled times, for a letter to go from Johannesburg to Cape
Town; five days since Ethel could have left Cape Town. And her one
letter to Ethel since Weldon's arrival had been posted just three
days before.
"How did you know Mr. Weldon was here?" she asked sharply.
Ethel's back was still turned towards her. Nevertheless, she could
see the scarlet tide mounting to the ears and to the roots of the
vivid gold hair.
"Why, your letter, Alice," Ethel answered composedly.
Alice's laugh was sharp and edged with malice.
"Yes, dear. My letter, telling you of his being here, will be
delivered at your house to-morrow morning."
"Oh, then I must have mixed things up," Ethel replied, as she turned
to face her cousin.
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