"Last winter, with Father. He was ill, and we stayed six weeks. It was heavenly!"
"You lucky girl!" sighed Margaret. "But, go on! We must find out more, right away!"
Corinne took up the book and began anew: "'But since I did wilfully abandon my home—aye!—and Grandfather, too, even though he does not love me—'"
"'Grandfather'?" interrupted Bess. "He can't be very old, if he has a grandfather living!"
"Doesn't seem likely," murmured Corinne, spelling out another word under her breath, then continuing:
"'—and did in venturesome manner contribute my aid to the plot against my country, I must pay the price, I fear. I am watched constantly. I take no walk abroad, even in the grounds, but I feel that I am spied upon. The affection of Madame M. has changed to dislike. She, too, suspects me. 'Tis hard for a lass of but sixteen—'"
"A lass!" shouted all four. "And only sixteen!"
"Oh, girls!" cried Corinne, rocking back and forth in her excitement. "She's just like ourselves—only a year older than I am! What can be the trouble—or rather, what could have been the trouble with the poor little thing?"
"Go on! go on!" ordered Margaret, with glistening eyes. "Let's find out!"
Corinne snatched up the book again: "'to be alone and friendless in a strange land and to feel so constantly in danger. But I must not complain. I brought it on myself. As I have said, Madame M. no longer appears to care for me. She was so cordial and affectionate at first, partly for Aunt's sake, no doubt, and partly because she really seemed to like me. But since the day when I spoke to Lady ——, at the time her coach broke down, Madame M. has regarded me only with suspicion.'"