But Rosalie, on second thoughts, made answer:
“You know best, and it is for you to choose. Somehow, I could not think to doubt or question what you say; and after all, why should one bother about to-morrow, if one does one’s duty to-day.”
“And I have promised you friends in the place of your aunt and uncle.”
“Yes; but I thought Mr. Barringcourt might have a word to say about that.”
“Well, we’re all bound to trust the future to a certain extent. There is no telling; on second acquaintance he might prove kinder.”
“When must I go?”
“To-morrow, in the early morning. The journey takes a day; it will be dark before you reach your journey’s end, for autumn is far advanced with them.”
Here the frog, who had so far sat quiet on the hearthrug, put in a word.
“It will be very lonely going back to Lucifram alone. My advice and companionship might be of some little help occasionally.”
“Oh, yes!” cried Rosalie eagerly. “You have been such a faithful and loving friend to me, that your brightness would dispel half the gloom, I’m sure it would.”