“I assure you he did not!” Lauretta then declared. “He did tell me, however, that I was welcome at Beulah Land at any time, so I do not arrive quite uninvited.”

“Of course you are welcome! No one more—ever. Never anyone so much! When I think what you must have endured! Have you seen Aunt Pea? Does she know?”

“No. I thought first of going there, but I could not cause her such distress as my appearance in this condition must surely have done. We are so well known in Savannah, and I left it in such a— So many friends and others to whom explanations would have to be given.”

“You were right to come here. But then, under that romantic disposition of yours is a practical mind, and always has been! Here no one will be curious—no more than in a friendly way. There need be no explanation. You will be to everyone my dear sister who has decided to visit me in the country until your child is born. Your husband having—gone abroad for some months on business matters!” Sarah clapped her hands happily at her invention, and Lauretta decided not to comment on its lack of freshness and credibility.

“So be it,” Lauretta said, smiling on the other fondly.

“We must have Leon pursue the villain immediately!”

“No! That cannot be done, I assure you!”

“Did he behave so monstrously to you? Poor darling! However did you manage to get here on a Sunday?”

“Yesterday I came as far as Dublin. Exhausted, I stayed the night at an inn, having arranged before retiring to have a livery rig bring me here this morning. The driver knew the way. Everyone appears to know where Beulah Land is situated. You are famous!”

“Had I dreamed you were as close as Dublin! Why did you not write to say you were coming, so that I might have had happy days of suspenseful waiting!”

“I should have written,” Lauretta said meekly, “but I was not entirely certain, until I came off from Dublin this morning, that I was selfish enough to impose my misfortunes on your love.” Her words were no less felt for having been thought over earlier. They moved both sisters to more tears.

“Oh, my dear sister—Beulah Land is yours!”

“Perhaps your husband—”

“Do not say so formally ‘your husband’!”

“Leon—”

“Leon!”

“—may not be so welcoming as you.”

“Oh, he shall be, depend upon it! But I am mistress of Beulah Land,” Sarah said, and the authority with which she said it was not lost on Lauretta. “What I say do, is done.”

Lauretta blinked her eyes rapidly, in admiration, gratitude, and irritation. “My little sister—” Her voice wavered.