I've come
here on purpose."
"Well, my love, you and Bee are always great friends. You haven't a
worrying way with you. She's in the rose-arbor. You can find her, child.
You walk straight down that path, and then turn to your left."
Catherine did not wait another instant. She had the quick and graceful
motions of a young fawn, and when she reached Beatrice her eager face
was so full of light and excitement that the other girl sprang to her
feet, her unopened book tumbled to the floor, and in one moment the two
friends had their arms round each other.
They did not kiss. This was not the moment for outward expressions of
affection. They looked at one another, then Catherine said:
"Well, Beatrice?" and, taking her friend's hand, she sat down by her.
"You know what happened this morning, Catherine?" said Beatrice, looking
at her sadly.
"Yes, I know. I have come about that. Loftus came home, and he told
mother. I heard him talking to her, and I heard mother crying; I came
into the room then, for I cannot bear the sound of my mother's sobs when
she is in distress, and she at once looked up when she heard nay step,
and she said:
"'It is all hopeless, Catherine; Beatrice Meadowsweet will not marry
Loftus.'
"'Nay, mother,' interrupted Loftus, 'there's a chance for me, she has
consented to see me again to-morrow.
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