She
is staying in one of our quarters. I think she has not long to live, and
I want you to talk to her."
"Now?"
"Yes, dear, I am going to carry her some breakfast. So, come along, and
get your mantle," said the good woman, passing out through the door.
Marian followed, drawing out her pocket handkerchief to tie over her
head; and as she did so, the note, unperceived by her, fluttered out,
and fell upon the carpet.
Jacquelina impulsively darted upon it, picked it up, opened, and read
it. Had Jacquelina first paused to reflect, she would never have done
so. But when did the elf ever stop to think? As she read, her eyes began
to twinkle, and her feet to patter up and down, and her head to sway
from side to side, as if she could scarcely keep from singing and
dancing for glee.
"Well, now, who'd a thought it! Thurston making love to Marian! And
keeping the courtship close, too, for fear of the old miser. Lord, but
look here! This was not right of me? Am I a pocket edition of Miss Nancy
Skamp! Forbid it, Titania, Queen of the Fairies! But I didn't steal
it--I found it! And I must, oh! must plague Grim a little with this!
Forgive me, Marian, but for the life and soul of me, I can't help
keeping this to plague Grim! You see, I promised to pay him when he
charged me with swallowing an assignation, and now if I don't pay him,
if I don't make him perspire till he faints, my name is not Mrs.
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