Yes, she should hate to part with Daisy now that they were growing so dear to each other. And she felt as if she wanted a life interest in Miss Craven, to know the sort of woman she would make and what she would do with her fortune. It was May when the reply came, a reply that so astounded Helen, even after reading the letter over two or three times, that she was still bewildered. She took it to Mrs. Aldred. "Yes," that lady rejoined, "you may read mine. Mrs. Van Dorn keeps her mind as fresh as a person of half her age, and she is past eighty. She has made all the arrangements." And the arrangements were that Mrs. Aldred should bring Helen to Paris with the other young ladies. She was going there and would be ready to receive her. She was very grateful for the care bestowed upon Helen, she had been very much gratified with the girl's letters, and this must answer until she could express the rest in person. "And you think--I can't make it seem true," faltered Helen,--"that such a thing should happen to me?" "It does not altogether surprise me," Mrs. Aldred answered in a reassuring tone. "I surmised this from the beginning. Mrs. Van Dorn took an unusual fancy to you, and knowing you these two years I must give her penetration great credit. For certain reasons, I regret you cannot go on with your education. But you will learn a great deal abroad." "I feel as if all of life is a school, and you are learning right along to do what comes next. I have worked hard at the French, and now I see the use of it. I dare say it will be so with other things. I wish I were a better musician." "Mrs. Van Dorn will care more for your voice. You can take excellent singing lessons abroad. Helen, I _do_ congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. And whatever happens I shall always want to be considered your sincere friend. I have been very much interested in your development, and shall continue so to be." She bent over and kissed Helen, who returned the caress with much warmth. "You will answer your letter to go by noon to-morrow." Helen bowed, too much moved to speak. It was still strange to her. One might dream of an event coming in the future, but to have it _here_, to put your hand on it, as one might say, dazed her. Daisy was at a music practice, though she did not think she could talk it over with anyone just now. Miss Craven stood hesitatingly in the half open doorway, with beseeching eyes. "If you are not too very busy--I'm in trouble about the Latin. Oh, if I could be quick to see into things!" in a passion of regret that emphasized every line of her face where last year it would have been unmoved. "I had an awful time about it, too, so we can sympathize," smiling cheerfully. "I just wanted something to start up my energies." "Oh, what should I do without you? Shall I ever be able to go on alone?" "Think what you have accomplished in the two years," was the reassuring answer.