At Love's Cost

"Yes, you shall fatten me to your heart's desire, Jessie," said Ida. "I

suppose I don't look of much account; I've been ill. But I shall soon

get well. I felt, as we drove along the moor, with the wind blowing on

my cheek, as if I had not breathed since the hour I left. And now tell

me everything--all--at once! Rupert? There's no need to ask about the

dogs." Donald and Bess had not yet ceased to tear at her in frantic

efforts to express their delight. "Are you glad I've come back,

Donald?" she asked in a low voice as she knelt and put her arms round

his neck and nestled her face against his, and let him lick her with

his great, soft tongue. "Ah, if you are only half as glad as I am,

doggie, your heart must be half breaking with the joy of it. And if I'm

lean, you are disgracefully fat, Bess. Don't tell me you've missed me,

for I don't believe it."

It was some time before Jessie could drag her upstairs; and the sight

of her old room, as cheerful as the hall, with the huge fire, almost

unnerved her, and when she was alone she sank upon her knees beside the

bed in a thanksgiving which was none the less deep and fervent for its

muteness.

When she came down the dinner was ready and Mr. Wordley was standing in

front of the fire awaiting her. She was glad that Jason had not had

time to procure a new livery, was glad of the old shabbiness of the

room, that its aspect was not yet changed, and that it greeted her with

all its old familiarity, Mr. Wordley would not let her talk until she

had made, at any rate, a pretense of eating; but when they had gone

into the drawing-room, he drew a chair to the fire for her, and said; "Now, my dear, I am afraid I shall have to talk business. I shall be

too busy to come over to-morrow." He laughed. "You see I have left all

my other clients' affairs, to come after my stray lamb: I expect I

shall find them in a pretty muddle. Now, my dear, before I go I should

like you to tell me exactly what you would like to do. As I have

explained to you, you are now the mistress of a very large fortune with

which you can do absolutely what you like. Would you like to live here,

or would you like to take a house in London, or go abroad?"