"
"Dear Emily," said Miss Fairbairn kindly, "you should not indulge in
these unauthorised fancies."
"But it so chances that this is not for a poor person," observed Emily,
"but for dear Aunt Christie."
"Ah, she was always very well while she lived with me," said John; "but
I hear a very different account of her now."
"Yes; she has rheumatism in her foot; so that she is obliged to sit
up-stairs. John, you should go and see her."
"I will take Mr. Mortimer to her," said Justina, rising serenely. This
she thought would break off the conversation, in which she had no part.
So John went up to Miss Christie's little sitting-room, and there she
was, bolt upright, with her lame foot on a cushion. By this visit he
gave unmixed pleasure to the old lady, and afforded opportunity to the
younger one for some pleasant, reasonable speeches, and for a little
effective waiting on the invalid, as well as for some covert
compliments.
"Ay, John Mortimer," quoth Miss Christie, with an audacious twinkle in
her eyes, "I'm no that clear that I don't deserve all the pain I've got
for my sins against ye.
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