Page 28 (1/2)

When we got into the drawing rooh Carain, and Madame, and Mademoiselle De Lafontaine, joined us, and made a

little card party, in the course of which papa caame was over he sat down beside Carmilla on the sofa, and

asked her, a little anxiously, whether she had heard from her mother

since her arrival

She answered "No"

He then asked whether she knehere a letter would reach her at

present

"I cannot tell," she answered a you; you have been already too hospitable and too kind to iven you an infinity of trouble, and I should wish to take a

carriage tomorrow, and post in pursuit of her; I knohere I shall

ultih I dare not yet tell you"

"But you ," exclaireat relief "We can't afford to lose you so, and I won't consent to

your leaving us, except under the care of yourwith us till she should herself return

I should be quite happy if I knew that you heard froress of the row even uest, I do feel the responsibility, unaided by advice from youris certain, that you

us without her distinct direction to that

effect We should suffer toofrom you to consent to

it easily"

"Thank you, sir, a thousand ti bashfully "You have all been too kind to me; I have seldom been