“Kyrle!” repeated Mrs. Berrien. The truth flashed on her. She gave a searching glance at Aimée, and read the whole story in the girl’s beseeching eyes. She remembered then that Mrs. Shreve had told her that Mr. Meredith was in the parlor with Fanny. What could be plainer than that Fanny had sent Aimée to ward off anything so undesirable as the appearance of her old lover? But with this knowledge came also the consciousness of an unpleasant dilemma. To tell the truth for Aimée’s justification would be to put Fanny in the power of Percy Joscelyn, who would take pleasure, Mrs. Berrien felt sure, in injuring her by letting the truth be known. Could she do this? Was such a sacrifice demanded of her? The woman whose heart was set upon her daughter’s brilliant marriage, yet who was of an upright nature and had honestly done her best for this orphan girl, knew an instant of sharp struggle--and then Aimée spoke: “Yes, it was Mr. Kyrle, Aunt Alice,” she said. “I hesitated to tell you, because I know you do not like him. He was here only a few minutes, and he is going away immediately.” She paused for an instant, then added, “I do not expect Percy to trust me, but _you_ will, I am sure.” “Yes, my dear,” said Mrs. Berrien, with a sense of mingled shame and relief. “I should have to forget all that I have ever known of you if I could not trust you. I am glad to hear that Mr. Kyrle is going away. But Percy”--looking at that young man--“may be sure that the visit to you had no such significance as he was quick to imagine.” “I have not much imagination,” said Mr. Joscelyn, “but I am quick to trust the evidence of my eyes; and if Aimée will kindly produce a locket which she put in her pocket a minute ago, you may change your opinion with regard to the significance of Mr. Kyrle’s visit.” “I can trust Aimée,” repeated Mrs. Berrien, trembling lest Aimée should produce the demanded locket, “and I will not attempt to force her confidence. It is not to-day for the first time that her actions have become of importance to me,” she added with much stateliness of manner, “and therefore I do not need to be schooled in my duty toward her. Now we will dismiss the subject. When do you wish to take her away?” “The sooner the better, I think,” replied the young man with considerable spitefulness of emphasis. “There is, of course, much to be done.” “But Aimée is too young to do anything with regard to business,” said Mrs. Berrien. “Her mother is anxious to see her,” said Mr. Joscelyn--a statement which made Mrs. Berrien smile, and produced in Aimée a sense of deepening amazement--“and it is necessary that she should begin at once to prepare for the position she will occupy.” “What will that be?” asked Mrs. Berrien, a little dryly. “Have you learned the amount of her fortune?” “Not precisely; but the letters received from Rio speak of it as very large.”