As Derrice chanted the jingle, Aurelia and Captain Veevers laughed and passed by, while Justin continued, "Chelda Gastonguay detests Rossignol. Nothing will hold her here when her aunt dies." "They have travelled a good deal?" "Constantly. Miss Chelda was educated abroad. She has always been unhappy here until lately." "Why does she like it now?" Justin could not tell her, but Derrice rushed to a satisfactory conclusion. "I believe she likes Mr. Huntington," she exclaimed. He neither contradicted nor confirmed her assertion, but a sudden relief came over him. In Derrice's friendly liking for the man, might be found an antidote for the subtle influence of her cousin. CHAPTER XV. A FAMILY CEMENTED BY LOVE. "Hippolyta Prymmer, I've come to ask your pardon. Let bygones be bygones. I've been ugly, and I acknowledge it. I'll try to do better in future. Let's shake hands." Mrs. Prymmer stood slowly opening and shutting her mouth. Was it really Jane Gastonguay--rich Jane Gastonguay--that stood in her parlour thus humbly suing for forgiveness? "You see," Miss Gastonguay went on, "there has always been something in our two natures that clashed. I have been the worst, I acknowledge it, and now I want to know if you will forgive me, and come to see me sometimes,--not too often, for it is dangerous to see too much of people." Mrs. Prymmer usually put her worst foot foremost. Down in her heart were hidden depths of kindness never explored by herself or by others. Something away down there now stirred tentatively. "We were girls together," she said, simply, as she took the hand of her former schoolmate. "And now we will be old women together. Thank fortune, this scene is over. Where is your daughter-in-law?" "Next door." "Ah, she likes that conglomerate family." "And the minister," said Mrs. Prymmer, dryly. "I suppose it's all right. Married women usen't to run about so much in my day." "Fie upon you, let others criticise your daughter-in-law." "You always had a free-hung tongue, Jane Gastonguay," said Mrs. Prymmer, with spirit. "True, true, you've got the whip-hand of me now, Hippolyta. My niece is out in the carriage, she wants to see your daughter-in-law. We'll run in to the parsonage. Good-bye," and she bustled out of the house. Derrice was sitting on the well-worn sofa in the parlour of the little house, awaiting the return of the various members of the family. So much at home was she that she had picked up a book and was quietly reading when Miss Gastonguay burst in upon her. "How do you do, child. Why haven't you been to see me?" "I don't like to go too often." "But you enjoy visiting me?" "Very much indeed." Miss Gastonguay looked around as if to make sure that she would not be overheard. "You will not tell any one if I favour you with a confidence?" "Certainly not."