"I would like these best," she said, "as a remembrance of yesterday."
She placed two or three in her little travelling-basket, and with one more good-bye, hurriedly left the room.
Mrs. Arundel and Aunt Ruth stood waiting for her in the drawing room, and she was clasped in her grandmamma's arms.
"My dear child," she said, "my dear child, I have enjoyed having you; we shall think of you, and pray for you constantly. Good-bye."
"I can't half thank you," said Nellie, brokenly; "but I have had such a nice time. Dear Aunt Ruth, I wanted to say lots of things to you."
"Yes, darling; but we must bow to our Father's will."
So she left them, and as she hastened down the hill to Mrs. Elliot's, she felt as if all the springs of her life were dried up.
She turned in at the gate, and almost ran against Maude and Wilmot, who were coming out to take her to the station.
They needed no explanations, as they already knew the bad news that morning's post had brought.
Wilmot silently shook hands, and Maude kissed her warmly.