While she remained in astonishment, Caroline ran up and kissed her.
“You recollect, Mr Selwyn, aunt, do you not?”
“Yes,” said Madame Bathurst, returning the salute of Mr Selwyn, “but still I am surprised.”
“Come with me, aunt, and I will tell you all about it.”
Caroline then walked to a seat at a little distance, sat down, and entered into conversation with Madame Bathurst. In a few minutes, Madame Bathurst rose, and came up to our party, with Caroline on her arm.
She first thanked Mr Selwyn for his kindness in bringing her niece to the fête, and then turning to me, said with some emotion, as she offered her hand, “Valerie, I hope we are friends. We have mistaken each other.”
I felt all my resentment gone, and took her offered hand.
She then led me aside and said, “I must beg your pardon, Valerie, I did not—”
“Nay,” replied I, interrupting her, “I was too hasty and too proud.”
“You are a good kind-hearted girl, Valerie—but let us say no more about it. Now introduce me to your friends.”