"Nor shall I, dear Feodora," said Mrs. Jones, kissing her with great affection. "And I really dread the time when we must leave you. But you are improving so rapidly that we must go before many weeks."
"I am glad to get well, but I do feel sorry to think of your going. But I do not give up ever seeing you again. You will go to the North Pole in a short time, and then return home. You will write me from there, both you and Mattie, and then my father and I will visit you and bring you home with us. You must spend a winter with us in our capital city. It is the most beautiful and gayest city in Europe in its season."
"And you shall spend a winter in Washington," returned Mrs. Jones.
"I have never seen anything so beautiful as Washington," said Mattie.
And so the friends chatted and cemented their acquaintance and friendship day by day, planning for future enjoyment of each other's society.
The Count and Feodora were greatly interested in their account of their visit with the Barton family in Labrador.
"By the way," said Mattie, "let's go up to Will's studio and see his painting of Jennie Barton."
Feodora readily assented. "I have been longing for some time to see the interior of your beautiful cabin," she said.
They slowly walked to the cage and mounted to the cabin, a distance of but fifty feet. They found Will at work upon a local landscape. He was delighted to receive the ladies, especially Feodora. "This augurs well for our sailing soon, Miss Feodora. And I cannot tell you how glad we all are to see you recovering so rapidly."
"I told Feodora that you had made a fine painting of Jennie Barton. We have told her all about our visit in Labrador, and she wishes to see your painting of Jennie," said Mattie.