He arranges everything for her journey, but will not bid her good by. A note can do that more easily, he thinks. Cecil cries and begs to go with him. Why not take her and Jane? He can send them home again if need be. Cecil is wild with delight, and madame really envies her.
Violet receives her guest with tears and tender kisses. She has been sitting with her father, and now he is asleep. Denise has insisted upon her taking a little walk, and she is so glad to have Cecil, though the child is awed by the sad face.
St. Vincent's breath is short and comes with difficulty. Whatever Grandon does must be done quickly. When the dying man stirs he asks him a question.
"If you would——" with a long, feeble sigh, but the eyes fill and overflow with a peaceful light.
"Violet," Grandon says, an hour later, "your father wishes for the marriage now. My child, are you—quite willing?"
She gives him her hand. For a moment he rebels at the sacrifice. She knows nothing of her own soul, of love. Then he recalls the miserable ending of more than one love marriage. Was Laura's love to be preferred to this ignorance?
"Come," he says; "Cecil, too."
"She must be dressed!" cries Denise. "Oh, my lamb, I hope it may not be ill fortune to have no wedding dress, but you must be fresh and clean." Cecil looks on in wide-eyed wonder.
"Is she going to be married as Aunt Laura was?" she asks, gravely.
Grandon wonders how she will take it. If it should give her sweet, childish love a wrench!