"Come and sit down with us, dear." Then, as Celia complied, she continued: "We shall be missing you by this time to-morrow evening; and Joy will feel lonely when bed-time comes, and she has that great room to herself. As soon as you are gone, Celia, we shall be looking forward to your return."
Celia smiled, and glanced at Joy, who had not looked up from her book. It struck Mrs. Wallis as strange that the sisters should show no regret at the coming parting, seeing they had never been separated in their lives before.
"Is that a very entrancing book, Joy?" she asked, with a note of reproach in her tone.
"Very, mother," was the concise reply.
"Where is Uncle Jasper?" Celia inquired, abruptly.
"In the library, I believe. He told me he had some letters he must write to-night. I daresay he has finished them by this time. Suppose you go and see."
Celia rose with alacrity, and went into the house. She was hurt that Joy had not put down her book and entered into conversation, as she would have no opportunity of speaking to her sister to-morrow night. Surely Joy had altered lately! With a pang of remorse she remembered why that probably was.
Celia found the library door ajar, and knocked softly. Receiving no answer she entered the room: and glanced around only to find it empty. To all appearances Sir Jasper had been called away whilst in the midst of his writing, for several addressed envelopes and an unfinished letter lay on the writing-table. The girl was turning to leave the room when her eyes chanced to rest on the big, fire-proof safe in the recess on the right side of the fire-place, and she noticed that the key was in the lock. On one occasion Sir Jasper had shown her the contents of the safe; and, amongst many papers and valuables had been his late wife's jewel case. The old man had been amused at Celia's very evident delight at the sight of the glittering jewels he had allowed her to examine; and when she had admired a brooch studded with diamonds, shaped like a butterfly, he had made her a promise which she had allowed her mind to dwell upon many times since.
"If you are a good girl," he had said, "I will give you that butterfly some day."
She had thanked him warmly, and the diamonds in her hand had not flashed more brightly than had her eyes at that moment.