"What is the meaning of this, father?" he asked at last an angry flush rising to his pale face, "Did I count too much upon your forgiveness when I asked you to give this to Valmai?"
"No, my dear boy, I would gladly have given it to her, and I grieve for your disappointment, but she has left this neighbourhood many, many months, and nobody knows where she has gone."
"Gone!" was all Cardo could exclaim, as he flung himself into a chair and hid his face in his hands.
"Yes. Much has happened since you left, and you may as well know it now. There is nothing to hide from your uncle and aunt?"
"No, no, tell me at once."
"Well, much had happened before she left."
Here Cardo started up excitedly.
"Why, she has gone to her Uncle John, of course. Where else should she go, dear innocent, without another friend in the world?"
The Vicar shook his head.
"She is not there, Cardo, for he died some months ago and left all his money to his niece."