Aunt Milly spoke and looked as though she should be quite certain to have her own way in the matter; and while I feared, I wished she might prove to be right.
[CHAPTER III]
THE BEST TREASURE
LONG before Christmas came, Aunt Milly and I had become closely attached to each other. I had learned to love her second only to my parents, and her own words taught me how much she cared for me.
"I shall never part with you for long together, Mildred, if I can help it. Denesfield must always be your home, and I shall give you all the love that I believe every true woman has stored up in her heart ready to be lavished on her children. I have had no children of my own to draw from that store; but you are making me pour out, on you, my long-hidden treasure of affection."
I could hardly reply, for my eyes and my heart were full; but I am sure she did not need words to tell her how warmly my affection was given in return.
Perhaps the fact that my aunt was still a young woman—only thirty-six years of age—and young-hearted, despite her past sorrow, drew us still more closely to each other. She never forgot her own girlish tastes and likings; and whilst often giving me wise advice, she was full of sympathy and consideration for me. She won my entire confidence, not so much by asking for it as by giving me her own.
The days passed quickly. We had, as Aunt Milly expected, plenty of visitors and invitations; and in the village, too, we had become well known both to young and old. My aunt did not wait for papa's coming before commencing her work for the good of the poor people round Denesfield; but she consulted him by letter, and followed his advice as closely as possible.
We were not quite sure he would be with us for Christmas until three days before, and then Aunt Milly, with a bright smile, gave me a letter to read, saying:
"I was right, you will see, dear. You might have spared all your fears and misgivings."