Fleda soon looked up, but she looked very sorrowful, and said nothing. Mrs. Carleton watched her face for a little while, really pained.
"Have you heard from Guy since he went away?" she whispered.
"No, ma'am."
"I have."
And therewith she put into Fleda's hand a letter,--not Mrs. Carleton's letter, as Fleda's first thought was. It had her own name and the seal was unbroken. But it moved Mrs. Carleton's wonder to see Fleda cry again, and longer than before. She did not understand it. She tried soothing, but she ventured no attempt at consoling, for she did not know what was the matter.
"You will let me go now, I know," she said smilingly, when Fleda was again recovered and standing before the fire with a face not so sorrowful, Mrs. Carleton saw. "But I must say something--I shall not hurt you again."
"Oh no, you did not hurt me at all--it was not what you said."
"You will come to me, dear Fleda? I feel that I want you very much."
"Thank you--but there is my uncle Orrin, Mrs. Carleton,--Dr. Gregory."
"Dr. Gregory? He is just on the eve of sailing for Europe--I thought you knew it."