"I feel
happy, and I can't tell why. I am just going to give up my
independence, and I ought to be miserable, but at the present moment I
have a peculiar sense of rejoicing."
"And so have I," said Jasmine, "I could skip all day long; and as to
Eyebright, she looks fit to dance this very moment."
"I'm happy because I'm with the Prince," said Daisy; "that's always
quite enough for me."
Then the three sisters linked their arms round one another, and went
downstairs.
In Noel's very lovely drawing-room many friends were assembled. Mr.
and Mrs. Ellsworthy, of course, were present; also Mr. Danesfield,
Miss Martineau, and Miss Egerton. Old Hannah stood in the background
and when the three pretty sisters came into the room they were
surrounded by eager and loving faces, and were most warmly welcomed.
Mrs. Ellsworthy, it is true, still appeared much agitated; she had an
intense longing to take Jasmine in her arms and cry over her, but she
had, of course, too much sense to do anything so unsuitable and silly.
The girls were asked to sit down, and Mr. Ellsworthy, who had been
elected spokesman, stood up, cleared his throat, and looked at his
wife. Twice he made an attempt at utterance; finally he said in a
voice which trembled--"My dear, I can't manage it--you had better do
it yourself.
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