"An excellent plan, I should like it above all things," said the young lady, with unusual sprightliness.
"I'll go ask her this morning," said Miss Gastonguay. "I want you to know her better, Chelda. Aurelia, you must come up while she is here."
"Thank you," murmured Aurelia, choking over a morsel she was forcing herself to eat, "but I shall be very busy with church work for some time to come."
Miss Gastonguay said nothing more at the time, except a warning, "Moderation, Aurelia, moderation," but when she left the girl at her own door she whispered, "Keep up a brave heart, you'll get over this in time; and don't torture yourself. You've done nothing wrong. Half the girls in town are red-eyed this morning."
CHAPTER XX.
BURGLARS AT FRENCH CROSS.
Derrice readily accepted the invitation to French Cross, but found her services as a comforter in no wise required.
Chelda seemed absolutely indifferent to Mr. Huntington's departure. She was ready enough to discuss him when his name was mentioned, but all her utterances were so calm and dispassionate that Derrice often found herself obliged to check the look of wonder with which she found herself gazing at the enigmatical girl. Was Mrs. Negus mistaken? She pondered the question for some time, then in disquiet put it out of her mind and devoted herself to being quietly happy.
Miss Gastonguay took an undisguised pleasure in her company. She conducted her all over the estate, showed her the wood and the French Cross graveyard from which the house had taken its name, and where the first Catholic settlers of the town lay buried.