‘And you won’t be able to go to the picnic to-morrow,’ remarked Clarice plaintively.
Nanette appeared. ‘The carriage is at the door, sir. The driver says he has only just time to catch the train.’
‘I’m going to the station, dear, to see Archie off,’ said Clarice to her sister.
‘Good-bye—for a little while,’ said Archie, as he took Madame De Vigne’s hand. ‘The moment I have any news, you shall hear from me; and in any case, you will see me back before we are many days older.’
‘Good-bye—and good-bye. Above all things, don’t forget the love and obedience you owe your father, and remember—the moment you choose to claim your freedom, it is yours.’
‘Ah, dear Madame De Vigne’——
She interrupted him with a slight gesture of her hand. ‘Do not think me hard—do not think me unkind. I have to remember that I am this girl’s sister and mother in one.’
‘But’——
‘Not another word.’ She took his head in both her hands and drew it towards her, and kissed him on the forehead. ‘Bon voyage! Dieu vous protège. The prayers of two women will go with you.’
There was a tear in Archie’s eye as he turned away. Nanette was standing by the open door. A moment later, and the young people were gone.