Miss De Sor and Miss Wyvil were still sitting together under the trees,talking of the murder at the inn.
"And is that really all you can tell me?"said Francine.
"That is all,"Cecilia answered.
"Is there no love in it?"
"None that I know of."
"It's the most uninteresting murder that ever was committed.What shall we do with ourselves?I'm tired of being here in the garden.When do the performances in the schoolroom begin?""Not for two hours yet."
Francine yawned."And what part do you take in it?"she asked.
"No part,my dear.I tried once--only to sing a simple little song.When I found myself standing before all the company and saw rows of ladies and gentlemen waiting for me to begin,I was so frightened that Miss Ladd had to make an apology for me.I didn't get over it for the rest of the day.For the first time in my life,I had no appetite for my dinner.Horrible!"said Cecilia,shuddering over the remembrance of it."I do assure you,Ithought I was going to die."
Perfectly unimpressed by this harrowing narrative,Francine turned her head lazily toward the house.The door was thrown open at the same moment.A lithe little person rapidly descended the steps that led to the lawn.
"It's Emily come back again,"said Francine.
"And she seems to be rather in a hurry,"Cecilia remarked.
Francine's satirical smile showed itself for a moment.Did this appearance of hurry in Emily's movements denote impatience to resume the recital of "the dagger-scene"?She had no book in her hand;she never even looked toward Francine.Sorrow became plainly visible in her face as she approached the two girls.
Cecilia rose in alarm.She had been the first person to whom Emily had confided her domestic anxieties."Bad news from your aunt?"she asked.
"No,my dear;no news at all."Emily put her arms tenderly round her friend's neck."The time has come,Cecilia,"she said."We must wish each other good-by.""Is Mrs.Rook here already?"
"It's you,dear,who are going,"Emily answered sadly."They have sent the governess to fetch you.Miss Ladd is too busy in the schoolroom to see her--and she has told me all about it.
Don't be alarmed.There is no bad news from home.Your plans are altered;that's all.""Altered?"Cecilia repeated."In what way?"
"In a very agreeable way--you are going to travel.Your father wishes you to be in London,in time for the evening mail to France."Cecilia guessed what had happened."My sister is not getting well,"she said,"and the doctors are sending her to the Continent.""To the baths at St.Moritz,"Emily added."There is only one difficulty in the way;and you can remove it.Your sister has the good old governess to take care of her,and the courier to relieve her of all trouble on the journey.They were to have started yesterday.You know how fond Julia is of you.At the last moment,she won't hear of going away,unless you go too.The rooms are waiting at St.Moritz;and your father is annoyed (the governess says)by the delay that has taken place already."She paused.Cecilia was silent."Surely you don't hesitate?"Emily said.
