"No, aunt.—Mr. Huntington has gone to Boston. Aurelia was right. He did speak of coming here this evening, and has written a line to explain his non-appearance."
"This is surely very sudden," said Miss Gastonguay, curiously. "What does he say?"
"You may read the note."
"Read it to me, child, I haven't my glasses."
"'Dear Miss Chelda:—I am leaving for Boston with Mr. Mercer. I will write from there and express my regret at not seeing you and your aunt.'"
"'Yours truly, B. H.'"
"Very abrupt," remarked Miss Gastonguay, "and very much in the nature of a farewell. Do you suppose he is not coming back? Taking Justin Mercer with him looks like it. That worthy young man may want to convey his body around the world by way of doing good to his soul."
Chelda did not venture any supposition of her own. She stared curiously at Aurelia, whose face had gone from crimson to a deathly pallor.
Miss Gastonguay's anxious and critical attention was diverted from her niece. "Good gracious!" she exclaimed, "the girl is going to faint."
Before she finished her sentence Aurelia had fainted, and falling forward crashed the inlaid domino table to the floor, and broke a portion of its dainty top.