So Grace thought, at any rate; but she made a hurried effort to dash back her tears, and gulp down a rising in her throat, anxious only not to be selfish, and not to disgust her brother in the outset with any personal egotism.
So she ran to the front door to meet him, and fell into his arms, trying so hard to seem congratulatory and affectionate that she broke out into sobbing.
"My dear Gracie," said John, embracing and kissing her with that gushing fervor with which newly engaged gentlemen are apt to deluge every creature whom they meet, "you've got my letter.

Well, were not you astonished ?" "O John, it was so sudden!" was all poor Grace could say.

"And you know, John, since mother died, you and I have been all in all to each other." "And so we shall be, Gracie.

Why, yes, of course we shall," he said, stroking her hair, and playing with her trembling, thin, white hands.
"Why, this only makes me love you the more now; and you will love my little Lillie: fact is, you can't help it.

We shall both of us be happier for having her here." "Well, you know, John, I never saw her," said Grace, deprecatingly, "and so you can't wonder." "Oh, yes, of course! Don't wonder in the least.