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For ato him, but then a man replied

“I iine it’s not easy to be separated from a sister who’s always been your closest companion A twin, no less” The speaker was West Ravenel, his tone far warmer and more tender than any Tom had ever heard him use before

“It’s only because I know I’ll miss her But I’m happy she’s found true love So very happy—” Her voice broke

“So I see,” West said dryly “Here, take this handkerchief and let’s wipe away those tears of joy”

“Thank you”

“It would hardly be unnatural,” West commented kindly, “for you to feel a touch of jealousy It’s no secret that you’ve wanted to find a match, whereas Pandora has always been determined never to marry at all”

“I’m not jealous, I’m worried” The woone to all the dinners and dances, and I’ve entle terribly wrong with one of theiven up looking for love, I’ for someone I could come to love over ti withto end up an old maid”

“There’s no such thing as an old maid”

“Wh-ould you call a ed lady who’s never married?”

“A woested

“You luht”

“You look the same as always”

“My dress had to be altered last night It wouldn’t button up the back”

Twisting stealthily in the chair, Toht as he stared at her in wonder

For the first time in his life, Tom Severin was smitten Smitten and slain

She was beautiful the way fire and sunlight were beautiful, warht of her dealt hi he’d ed youth, every lost hope and opportunity