Emma Cavendish and Electra Coroni looked at each other in comic surprise.
"Why, you must be an amateur postman, Mr. Kyte! To fetch and carry letters seems to be your mission on earth," laughed Electra.
"So it has often been said of me, miss. And if you or Miss Cavendish have any to send, I should be happy to take them," answered the young man, quite seriously.
"Nor I, thank you," added Emma; "but you may, if you please, give my love to Mrs. Grey, and tell her we shall feel anxious until we hear of her safe arrival and improved health."
"I will do so with much pleasure," said Mr. Kyte, rising to take leave.
As soon as the visitor had left them the two young ladies exchanged glances of droll amazement.
"As sure as you live, Emma, the business of importance that takes him to Charlottesville is Mrs. Mary Grey! He's taken in and done for, poor wretch! I shouldn't wonder a bit if he sold out his share in the fancy dry-goods store at Wendover and invested all his capital in college fees and entered himself as a student at the University, for the sake of being near his enchantress," said Electra.
"Poor boy!" sighed Emma, with genuine pity.
And before they could exchange another word, the sound of carriage-wheels at the gate announced the arrival of Alden and Laura Lytton.
Did woman's charms thy youth beguile, And did the fair one faithless prove? Hath she betrayed thee with a smile And sold thy love?
Live! 'Twas a false, bewildering fire: Too often love's insidious dart Thrills the fond soul with wild desire, But kills the heart.
A nobler love shall warm thy breast, A brighter maiden faithful prove, And thy ripe manhood shall be blest In woman's love. --MONTGOMERY.
Emma Cavendish, with her cheeks blooming and eyes beaming with pleasure, ran out to meet her friends.
Alden and Laura Lytton, just admitted by the footman, stood within the hall.
Miss Cavendish welcomed Laura with a kiss and Alden with a cordial grasp of the hand.
"I am so delighted to see you, dear Laura; and you also, Mr. Lytton," she said, leading the way into the parlor.
"Well as I like my kind relatives at Lytton Lodge, I am very glad to get back to you, Emma, dear, and that is the truth," answered Laura, as she sank into an arm-chair and began to draw off her gloves.