CHAPTER XX
JULIA DECIDES
Now the young girl had his letters and her own to read. They were sweet and sad companions and she laid them side by side. She did not weep, because she was not of the weeping type; she had hope.
Her spirits remained singularly even. Madame de la Maine had given her a great deal to live on.
"Julia, what have you done to Robert?"
"Nothing, ma tante"
"He has quite changed. This excursion to Africa has entirely altered him. He is naturally so gay," said the Marquise d'Esclignac. "Have you refused him, Julia?"
"Ma tante, he has not asked me to be the Duchess de Tremont."
Her aunt's voice was earnest.
"Julia, do you wish to spoil your life and your chances of happiness? Do you wish to mourn for a dead soldier who has never been more than an acquaintance? I won't even say a friend."
What she said sounded logical.