"I had rather remain, if you will allow me," returned Leonie, meekly. "I don't think I could rest, and I should not like to be alone. This is ever so much better, where I can feel what kind friends and true the Lord has sent me in my loneliness."
"And Leonard Chandler!" cut in Mr. Pryor, unable to curb his curiosity. "What did he say?"
"I cannot tell you how deeply he feels it all!" exclaimed Leonie, sadly. "I think, had he been her father, his grief could not have been greater. He feels that to a great extent he is blamable for what has occurred. Mrs. Chandler is almost in hysteria. She was under the care of the physician when I left. Evelyn's conduct is all the more remarkable to me, when I think of the loving tenderness that must have been hers in the home of her adoption. My heart has ached until it has seemed almost breaking. Mr. Chandler has asked my permission to have the body removed at once to his house, and buried from there."
"And you gave it?"
"Certainly; what right had I compared with theirs, even had I chosen to press my claim? They were so kind to me! Why, it seemed almost as though they were accepting me in her stead. When I was leaving Mrs. Chandler clasped her arms about my neck, and with tears streaming over her face said: 'You must fill her place, dear. Remember that I shall have no daughter now. My heart and home will both be empty. You must fill the vacancy that her death has left!' I don't know what I have done that so many friends should be given me, just at the time when I fancied myself most alone!"
"It is very nice of the Chandlers, indeed!" cried Mr. Pryor, dryly. "I don't doubt in the least but that it would be charming for them to have you take their daughter's place, but there are others who have a 'pryor' claim, eh, Lucretia?"
He smiled over his little joke, and Mrs. Pryor nodded her head approvingly.
"Do you realize, girls," she said, sweetly, "that it is less than an hour until dinner? Remember your father's horror of a cold dinner, and take yourselves away to dress at once!"
There was a general movement in obedience to the command, but as Leonie was about to follow them, she felt a hand placed very gently upon her arm.
"Won't you wait a minute, please?" Lynde asked, half timidly. "I shall detain you only a few seconds."