Chapter 14 - Page 2

speculation.
There was something in her face, and manner, and voice, he had never
before seen or heard, and madame--who watched every expression of her
husband--was easily led to the same observation. She observed Cornelia
closely, and her gay laugh especially revealed some change. It was like
the burst of bird song in early spring, and she followed the happy girl
to the front door, and called her back when she had gone down the steps,
and said, as she looked earnestly in her face--

"You have heard from Joris Hyde? I know you have!" and Cornelia nodded
her head, and blushed, and smiled, and ran away from further question.

When she reached home she found Madame Van Heemskirk sitting with her
mother, and the sweet old lady rose to meet her, and said before
Cornelia could utter a word:

"Come to me, Cornelia. This morning a letter we have had from my Joris,
and sorry am I that I did thee so much wrong."

"Madame, I have long ago forgotten it; and there was a mistake all
round," answered Cornelia, cheerfully.

"That is so--and thy mistake first of all. Hurry is misfortune; even to
be happy, it is not wise to hurry. Listen now! Joris has written to his
grandfather, and also to me, and very busy he will keep us both. His
grandfather is to look after the stables and the horses, and to buy more
horses, and to hire serving men of all kinds. And a long letter also I
have had from my daughter Katherine, and she tells me to make her duty
to thee my duty. That is my pleasure also, and I have been talking with
thy mother about the house. Now I shall go there, and a very pleasant
home I shall make it. Many things Joris will bring with him--two new
carriages and much fine furniture--and I know not what else beside."

Then Cornelia kissed madame, and afterwards removed her bonnet; and
madame looked at her smiling. The vivid coral in her dark hair, the
modest grey dress with its knots of colour, and above all the lovely
face alight with love and hope, delighted her.

"Very pretty art thou, very pretty indeed!" she said, impulsively; and
then she added, "Many other girls are very pretty also, but my Joris
loves thee, and I am glad that it is thee, and very welcome art thou to
me, and very proud is my husband of thee. And now I must go, because
there is much to do, and little time to do it in."

For nearly a week Cornelia was too busy to take Arenta into her
consideration. She did not care to tell her about Rem's cruel and
dishonourable conduct, and she was afraid the shrewd little Marquise
would divine some change, and get the secret out of her. Indeed, Arenta
was not long in suspecting something unusual in the Doctor's household--