In spite of these sensible reflections there was a strong sense of discomfort, and, though Grace tried to shake it off and read and talk to the nurse, that did not help her. The nurse dwelt upon the beautiful bride her sister would be; never for a moment doubting orange-blossom, white satin, and all complete.
Mrs. Dorriman came home late and went into Grace's room with signs of tears, due partly to the sadness of that wedding and partly to fatigue. Grace's light questions jarred upon her. She felt that it had been a terrible sacrifice, and she wished that the sister who understood it so little could be made to appreciate it. "Poor darling Margaret!" said Grace, "did she send me no message?"
"She had no time. I heard her ask him when they should be home--she wished to let you know. I heard his answer. _Forsaking all others, cleaving only to him._ My mind misgives me, Grace; that poor child will not have all she hopes and expects from him."
"You must not be so doleful, Mrs. Dorriman, it is so very bad for me," said Grace, peevishly.
"I am sorry," said that poor woman, who did not wish to hurt her. "I was not thinking of you, I was thinking of Margaret."
"Every one is always thinking of Margaret," went on Grace, in a fretful tone. "It is the most extraordinary thing, it is always the same thing--it is always Margaret."
"Rest now, and we can talk by-and-by," said Mrs. Dorriman. "I have much to do; and about you, Grace, have you any plans?"
"Have I any plans?" asked Grace, opening her eyes in deepest astonishment. "Why, as soon as I can move, of course, I am to go to live with Margaret--a lovely villa with trees and things, close to London!"
"Oh, then that is settled," said Mrs. Dorriman, very much relieved. "I did not know; it will be nice for you to be together."
"Yes, it will be nice," said Grace, excitedly. "If you knew how I long to go away and see the world."
"Now, Mrs. Dorriman, there you are as doleful as you can be again. I wish you would not----"
"Speak as if I were never to be well again," and Grace, feeble and weak, burst into a violent flood of tears.
"I was not thinking of _that_," said Mrs. Dorriman, hastily, "but life is disappointing, and if you cling to the world too much you will feel the many disappointments overwhelmingly."