“Oh, papa, what news―what news? Have you heard from my uncle?”
“What is there of good to be expected?”said he, taking the letter from his pocket.“But perhaps you would like to read it.”
“And have you answered the letter?”cried Elizabeth.
“EDW.GARDINER.”
Jane,who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath,came up with him,and eagerly cried out:
“Well,and what news does it bring―good or bad?”
Most earnestly did she then entreaty him to lose no more time before he wrote.
“My dear Brother,
“If you are looking for my master,ma'am,he is walking towards the little copse.”
“What do you mean,Hill?We have heard nothing from town.”
“At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as,upon the whole,I hope it will give you satisfaction.Soon after you left me on Saturday,I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they were.The particulars I reserve till we meet;it is enough to know they are discovered.I have seen them both―”
Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand.Jane now came up.“Read it aloud,”said their father,“for I hardly know myself what it is about.”