the war." She added, in a different and a kindlier
tone: "You must forgive me, Mary, for saying what
I did about your good old Anna! But you know I'm
really fond of you, and I'm even fonder of your sweet
Rose than I am of you. I always feel that there is a
great deal in Rose -- more than in any other girl I
know. And then -- well, Mary, she is so very pretty!
prettier than you even were, though you had a way
of making every one think you lovely!"

Mrs. Otway laughed. She was quite mollified. "I
know how fond you are of Rose," she said gratefully,
"and, of course, I don't mind your having
spoken to me about Anna. But as to parting with
her -- that would mean the end of the world to us,
to your young friend Rose even more than to me.
Why, it would be worse -- far worse -- than the war!"

[[13]]

p012 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p013w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p014

v?