"Now we must have no more tears, Sonnie, not one. And you will find that if you can't be happy in one way, you can try another. If you like to come with me, I'll show you where I used to fish when I was a little boy." "I wish I could live here always," said Alain, trotting after his father obediently. "I should like to live with Cousin Adrienne." "I'm afraid you and I will have to get on without her. She lives in England and will be going there soon." "I'll ask her to take me with her." "I think you'd better wait. By and by you'll be going to school in England." "Shall I?" "Yes; I want you to be more English than French. But you'll be coming to live here very soon. Do you like it here?" They were crossing a bit of the Park and making for a round pond under some trees. Alain raised a smiling face. "Yes, I like it very much. But I don't like the farm." "Then you don't take after me." He cut a stick off a tree, produced a string out of his pocket and with the help of a bent pin left Alain radiantly happy trying to fish for minnows. Then he went back to the house, where he discussed the alternative of a nurse or governess. "He wants a little of both," said Adrienne; "he's very small and timid." "A good French bonne is what he wants," said the Countess. "I'll ask Fanchette. She knows everyone round here." And in the end Pierre and Fanchette between them evolved out of a country village close by a very nice motherly woman who was quite content to go to the farm and look after Alain till the Château was ready to receive him. Guy was already arranging for an army of paperers and painters to take possession, and then suddenly everything came to a standstill. One morning about seven o'clock, Annette came rushing excitedly to Adrienne: "Mademoiselle. Vite! La Comtesse, ah, quel horreur!" For a moment Adrienne thought her aunt was dead. Then slipping into her room, she found her lying back in bed breathing very stertorously, her mouth slightly twisted. Nothing would rouse her. Adrienne knew it was a seizure, and sent Gaston riding off post-haste for the doctor. He came promptly, but could do very little. He told Adrienne he had been afraid of this for some time. She had appeared unusually well and happy the night before, so that there was no special cause for such an attack. All day Adrienne sat in the sick-room, and towards the evening the Countess seemed to regain consciousness, and recognized Adrienne, speaking to her in a thick husky voice. Guy came into the room, and insisted upon Adrienne's going to bed. "I'll sit by her for an hour or two, and Fanchette will be here. This may mean a long illness. You must have rest and sleep, otherwise we shall have you ill too." So Adrienne did as he desired, but did not get much sleep. She had only written to her uncle that day telling him she hoped to be home very soon. And now how impossible it would be to leave her aunt!