Jack looked on, stiff and ill at ease, after the manner of boys in a sick-chamber. He answered his father's inquiries in constrained and difficult English, with frequent lapses into French. Four years in a Swiss school had wrought wonders for Jack, especially as his mother had left him to take walking tours with his tutors during the summer vacations. A foreign education had been Mrs. Denvil's idea of preparation for life as an American citizen, especially at Foundryville. There was another lapse into stillness before Cecilia's voice became again audible. "If I had not--met with the accident on the Pincio, _would_ you have come to Rome for Christmas?" "I fear not, my child." "Are we to go home with you now?" "Yes." Cecilia smiled and closed her eyes. Did she thus understand San Donato's message at last? Madame Robin will not be installed as housekeeper in the master's house. In the future, Mrs. Denvil, with the reaction of a shallow nature, may make trips to better climates for her neuralgia, or Jack be absent at college; but Henry Denvil--nay, the very foundry--cannot be more constant to the spot than his daughter. There will be no balls for her, clad in satin, pearls and diamonds twinkling in her hair and about her throat, no dancing days, no debut in society as an heiress. Instead, Cecilia will flit from room to room of the long silent home in a wheel-chair, a presence bright, cheerful, watchful, now pausing in the sunny conservatory where each unfolding flower seems aware of her presence, now awaiting the father's return from work. Above the entrance door will be enshrined the image of San Donato, guardian of the home, whose mission is to avert evil. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise every effort has been made to remain true to the authors; words and intent. End of Project Gutenberg's Stories by American Authors, Volume 7, by Various