CHAPTER VII
VIRGINIA DECIDES
"Early in the morning
When the first cock crowed his warning
Neat as bee, as sweet and busy,
Fetched in honey, milked the cows,
Aired and set to rights the house,...
Fed the poultry, sat and sewed;
Talked as modest maidens should."
—Christina Rossetti.
When Virginia went into her mother's room after breakfast that morning, she told her quietly that she had made her decision.
Mrs. Mynors gave a half-stifled, excited exclamation. For the life of her she could not have told what she hoped or desired. She stared at her composed daughter with eyes half of entreaty, half of fear.
"I shall write and tell Mr. Gaunt to come to-morrow," said Virginia with calm.
"Oh, for pity's sake, child, are you not mad?" cried the wretched woman in the bed.
"I have considered it," was the steady answer. "He is unhappy, and I am pretty sure that I could be a comfort to him. His way of doing things seems odd; but he is lonely, and I daresay he has been soured. I will do all I can to make him happy, if he on his side will perform his promises to you and the children."
"Virgie, don't!" The voice was so altered, so strange, that the girl paused, wondering.