"I am so sorry," Jaquelina repeated, sorrowfully. "I loved her dearly. She was always kind to me."
"Yes, mamma loved you dearly," said Violet, gravely; "yet you disappointed her dearest hope, Lina."
"Her dearest hope!" cried Jaquelina. "I do not understand you, Violet."
"She wished above everything, for you to have become Walter's wife," exclaimed Violet.
The beautiful singer colored deeply, but she did not reply.
"We all wished it," continued Violet. "It would have pleased me very much. I cannot tell you what a disappointment it was to us all when you chose Valchester—a disappointment and a surprise as well. The match seemed so unsuitable."
Jaquelina lifted her dark eyes and regarded her gravely.
"Why unsuitable?" she asked.
"Oh, I could hardly explain it," answered Violet, vaguely, "but it struck us all that way. Ronald Valchester was so very peculiar. You must have thought so yourself after you learned his strange views of marriage and divorce. Did you not, dear?"
Jaquelina sat silent, her hands tightly clasped in her lap.