This discovery, or supposed discovery, relieved them from the nervous alarm and misery which was beginning to overpower them. After a while they even laughed softly under their breath. Papa’s old, old love affair, though it was interesting and even touching, as a relic of the ancient ages, was yet more or less amusing too. They put back the scrap of paper along with all the big, imposing letters, which were so much more pretentious, but which it was very evident their father had not been nearly so much interested by. They liked him for going _there_ first of all: and then they permitted themselves a little laugh. “I dare say,” said Grace, “they were quite young when they were parted. How strange it must be to meet after so many years! One reads of it in books sometimes. I wonder if he will take us to see her. I should think she would like to see us--if she is nice,” she added with a little hesitation. “She must be nice,” said Milly, “or he would not have remembered all these years, and gone to see her the very first minute. I wonder if mamma would be angry, Grace? I wonder if _she_ is married too?” “Oh, no, no!” cried Grace, decidedly. “Men may do that, but not women. You may be sure she has lived all the time--oh, not making herself unhappy--but always faithful! She will be good; she will do all sorts of things for people; but marry--no! I _hope_ he will take us to see her. It is like England. It is what I have always thought of England. People are so faithful here. Not changing about, not always looking for something new. I do hope he will take us to see her, Milly.” “I suppose mamma would have no objection,” said Milly, her mind somewhat divided on the subject. They exhausted this new theme, looking at it from every side. And at last, much more cheerful--having, indeed, to exercise restraint upon themselves not to chatter too much as they passed their father’s door, and perhaps disturb him--they went to bed, no longer thinking it so dismal. This hypothesis, which was built upon so slight a foundation, was on the whole the most amusing and the most interesting suggestion that had ever yet entered their minds in respect to papa. CHAPTER IV