Not more than two or three days, he said.
"I understood," said aunt Miriam, after a minute's pause, "that Mrs. Carleton was so kind as to say she would take care of Elfleda to France, and put her in the hands of her aunt."
"She would have great pleasure in doing it," said Mr. Carleton. "I can promise for your little niece that she shall have a mother's care so long as my mother can render it."
Aunt Miriam was silent, and he saw her eyes fill.
"You should not have had the pain of seeing me to-day," said he gently, "if I could have known it would give you any; but since I am here, may I ask, whether it is your determination that Fleda shall go with us?"
"It was my brother's," said aunt Miriam, sighing; "he told me last night that he wished her to go with Mrs. Carleton if she would still be so good as to take her."
"I have just heard about her from the housekeeper," said Mr. Carleton, "what has disturbed me a good deal. Will you forgive me, if I venture to propose that she should come to us at once. Of course we will not leave the place for several days till you are ready to part with her."
Aunt Miriam hesitated, and again the tears flushed to her eyes.
"I believe it would be best, " she said, "since it must be
I cannot get the child away from her grandfather I am afraid
I want firmness to do it and she ought not to be there she
is a tender little creature "
For once self-command failed her, she was obliged to cover her face.