"Oh, she is up again and well."
"Have you any reason to expect your father home, Ellen?" said
Mrs. Chauncey.
"Yes, Ma'am; aunt Fortune says perhaps he will be here in a week."
"Then you are very happy in looking forward, aren't you?" said Miss Sophia, not noticing the cloud that had come over Ellen's brow.
Ellen hesitated coloured coloured more and finally, with a sudden motion, hid her face against Alice.
"When did he sail, Ellie?" said Alice, gravely.
"In the Duc d'Orleans he said he would "
"When?"
"The fifth of April. Oh, I can't help it!" exclaimed Ellen, failing in the effort to control herself; she clasped Alice as if she feared even then the separating hand. Alice bent her head down, and whispered words of comfort.
"Mamma!" said little Ellen Chauncey, under her breath, and looking solemn to the last degree "don't Ellen want to see her father?"