“If I had father or mother anywhere—nothing should ever make me leave them. I would bear everything—but I would be true to them.”
An instant later a peal rang through that silent house, such as it had not echoed in many a day. What would be the answer to it?
CHAPTER XVII
IN THE HOUR OF DARKNESS
“No sign yet?”
“No sign.” Margot’s tone was almost hopeless. Day after day, many times each day, she had climbed the pine-tree flagstaff and peered into the distance. Not once had anything been visible, save that wide stretch of forest and the shining lake.
“Suppose you cross again, to old Joe’s. He might be back by this time. I’ll fix you a bite of dinner, and you better. Maybe——”
The girl shook her head and clasped her arms about old Angelique’s neck. Then the long repressed grief burst forth in dry sobs that shook them both, and pierced the housekeeper’s faithful heart with a pain beyond endurance.