Fluff turned on her heel, put wings to her feet, and in a moment, panting and laughing, stood by Mrs. Carnegie's side.
"Oh, I beg your pardon," she exclaimed when she could speak. "I know who you are, and I am dear Frances's cousin, Fluff. I know you would not mind giving the poor thing a chance, and allowing me to stay and try to entertain you for a little."
"Sit down, my dear, sit down. You really are a radiant little vision. It is really most entertaining to me to see anything so fresh and pretty. I must congratulate you on the damask roses you wear in your cheeks, my pretty one."
"Thank you very much; I know I have plenty of color. Do you mind sitting a little bit, just so--ah, that is right. Now we'll have our backs to the poor things, and they'll feel more comfortable."
"My dear, extraordinary, entertaining little friend, what poor things do you mean?"
"Yes, your companion. Only she oughtn't to be your companion, and she won't be long. Your companion, and my darling cousin, Frances Kane, and her lover."
"Her lover! I knew there was a love affair. That accounts for the pallor! Oh, naughty Frances; oh, cruel maiden, to deceive your Lucilla! I felt it, I guessed it, it throbbed in the air. Frances and her lover! My child, I adore lovers--let me get a peep at him. Dear Frances, dear girl! And is the course of true love going smoothly, miss--miss--I really don't know your name, my little charmer."
"My name is Fluff--please don't look round. It's a very melancholy love affair just at present, but I'm making it right."
"My little bewitching one, I would embrace you, but my poor miserable nerves won't permit of the least exertion. And so Frances, my Frances, has a lover! It was wrong of her, darling, not to tell of this."
"Oh, the noble girl! But do you think, my child, I would permit such a sacrifice? No, no; far rather would Lucilla Carnegie bury her sorrows in the lonely tomb. Lend me your handkerchief, sweet one--I can't find my own, and my tears overflow. Ah, my Frances, my Frances, I always knew you loved me, but to this extent--oh, it is too much!"
"But she didn't do it for you," said Fluff. "She wanted the money to help her father--he's such a cross, selfish old man. He wouldn't let her marry Philip, although Philip loved her for ten years, and saved all his pence in Australia to try and get enough money to marry her, and was nearly eaten himself by the blacks, but never forgot her day or night--and she loved him beyond anything. Don't you think, Mrs. Carnegie, that they ought to be married? Don't you think so?"