"She's afraid that he may take her away where she will not be with Alice any more; and you know she has no mother to go to."
"Oh!" said Ellen, with a very enlightened face; "but he won't, will he?"
"I hope not; I think not."
Cheered again, the little girl drew near, and silently took one of Ellen's hands.
"We shall not be parted, Ellie," said Alice "you need not fear. If your father takes you away from your aunt Fortune, I think it will be only to give you to me. You need not fear yet."
"Mamma says so too, Ellen," said her little friend.
This was strong consolation. Ellen looked up and smiled.
"Now come with me," said Ellen Chauncey, pulling her hand "I want you to show me something; let's go down to the garden come, exercise is good for you."
"No, no," said her mother smiling "Ellen has had exercise enough lately; you mustn't take her down to the garden now; you would find nothing there. Come here!"
A long whisper followed, which seemed to satisfy little Ellen, and she ran out of the room. Some time passed in pleasant talk and telling all that had happened since they had seen each other; then little Ellen came back and called Ellen Montgomery to the glass door, saying she wanted her to look at something.