"I shall go to England as soon as I can be ready, and go direct to this place, Edgestone, near Cirencester. The truth must be easily ascertained on the spot. My fear is that her conscience, poor soul, being so burthened, she was startled by an accidental likeness—and the name being Frederick, and the young man an adopted son."
"Yes," Gilbert Gray said, "and if the boys were alive all this time, why did they never let you know? Frank was seven years old; he surely could have told his name, and where you had lived, and then you would have heard. Take my advice, Rayburn, and write to this young Giles."
"No, no—we must go," Janet said. "Fred, I am not often unreasonable, but I cannot rest till we are on our way home. Give me this satisfaction, let us go, and find out the truth together. We will take Lily too. Fred, you will take us?"
"I will indeed, Janet. I wish you could feel how unlikely it is that there is anything in what this wretched woman says, but I can quite understand your longing to see for yourself. I have a few arrangements to make, of course. Gilbert, you and Emile will see after the hotel, I am sure."
"I will do anything you like; but do remember how ill Janet was on the voyage out. Even if you must go, rather than write—"
"No, no!" said Aimée. "They must go. It is but a poor little straw of a hope, yet I feel that Janet must go. Only, dear, why take Lily? Leave her with me."
"Ah, no! I cannot bear to part with her, Aimée. I never parted with my boys but that once. Lily must come too."
Janet was ill enough on the voyage, but by no means as ill as she had been when coming out. Fortunately, Lily proved a good sailor, and was able to take care of her after the first day or so.
They had a good passage, and, on reaching England, at once went on to Cirencester, where Janet was so worn out that Fred would not hear of going on to Edgestone that evening.
Next day, she still seemed so weak that Fred proposed to go alone to Edgestone, as she seemed unfit for any exertion. But for once Janet was obstinate; she would go.