“If your mother consents to see me, appoint an hour to-morrow morning and let me know. I will take a carriage and go alone—”
“I will come for you. I will bring my mother’s carriage—”
“No, I must go alone, and I prefer to go in a hired carriage. You must see that no one else is present—neither of your sisters. It is to your mother only that I can say what I have to say.”
“Everything shall be as you wish. But, Christine, don’t be hurt if you find my mother’s manner difficult, at first. She has had a great deal of trouble, and it has made her manner a little hard—”
“Ah,” she said, “I can understand that.”
“But it is only her manner,” Noel went on, “her heart is kind and true.”
“Don’t try to encourage me. I am not afraid. If she has known the face of sorrow that is the best passport between us. Perhaps she will understand me.”
“Promise me this, Christine—that whatever happens, you will see me to-morrow evening—and see me alone.”
“I promise, but it may be to say good-by.”