Jack muttered something, and tried to catch Bluebell's eye, agonies of
contrition in his own.

"Well, my dear, and how well you are looking," said Mrs. Leigh. "But we
have missed you at home, Aunt Jane and I. No, thank you, Mrs. Rolleston;
not at all tired. I caught the street-car at the corner, which brought
me all the way for five cents. Very respectable people in it; only one
soldier; he was not at all tipsy. I don't think your men ever are,
Colonel. Thank you, Miss Rolleston," as Cecil brought her some tea. "I'll
just unbutton my Sontag, or I shan't feel the good of it when I go out
again, shall I?"

"I have been thinking," said Mrs. Rolleston, to whom it had just occurred
that this would be a good break in Jack's attentions, "that it would be
very nice if Bluebell went home for a few days, as you have seen so
little of her."

"I'm sure I'm most grateful," said the little lady. "There, my dear, Aunt
Jane was saying only yesterday how dull it was without the child. But are
you sure she can be spared, Mrs. Rolleston?"

"Only to you," said the lady, kindly, but smiling a little, for certainly
her _duties_ were not very onerous.

Bluebell, an anxious listener, felt her heart sink at this proposal.
What, go away and leave Bertie, whose daily presence had become a
necessity to her! Besides, dreadful thought! his leave might be over ere
she returned. In desperation she said, imploringly, "Mamma will not want
me for more than a day or two," and gazed anxiously at Mrs. Rolleston,
with a world of unspoken entreaty in her eyes.