between the two like a woebegone
young specter, all her gaiety dissolved in tears. Mrs. Kildare herself
had written to her husband's aunt, for the first time in years,
explaining briefly her own intentions and Jemima's attitude with regard
to them. The reply had come by telegraph, not to her, but to Jemima.
Kate did not ask to see it. Without comment, she had observed the girl's
preparations for immediate departure. She could not trust herself to
speak.

It was known throughout the countryside by this time that the French
doctor was indeed coming out of prison, and that the Madam intended to
marry him. The news brought Professor Thorpe post-haste to Storm, pale,
but ready as ever with his services.

"I never knew Dr. Benoix well, but now I shall make up for lost time,"
he said quietly. "What are your arrangements? Will you need a best man,
or anything of that sort? Here I am."

Kate thanked him with tears in her eyes, declining.

"Jacques will prefer to see nobody, just at first, but Philip and me, I
think. But if you _could_ do something with Jemmy? She will listen to
you, if to anybody. Make her understand, somehow--make her
believe--" Her choking voice could not finish, and Thorpe silently
patted her shoulder.

He had done his loyal best with the girl already, without success. He
was handicapped by his promise not to say anything that would shake
Jemima's passionate pride and faith in her father.

"I have nothing further to do with my mother's affairs," was her stony
answer to all his arguments. "The day she brings that man into my
father's house, I leave it, naturally; and I shall do my best to make
Jacqueline leave it. That is all."

Her packing went on apace. On the last morning she found a check-book at
her breakfast plate.

"Do you mean me to have this, Mother?" she asked in the coldly courteous
voice she had used toward Kate since her discovery.

"Yes. There will be a deposit to your credit on the first day of each
month until you come of age, when a third of my property will be turned
over to you."

The girl flushed deeply, but said nothing except "Thank you." She would
have liked to refuse all aid from her mother; but after all, was she not
being deprived of her rightful inheritance? Let her mother make what
reparation was possible.

To the last moment Kate hoped for some sign of relenting, struggled to
find some explanation, some plea, that would draw the girl to her. But
those who have formed