"Thank you, papa, that is a good thought, and consoles me greatly for both our darling and ourselves." She went on with the reading of the letter; there were but a few more sentences; then, while the others discussed its contents, Violet stole quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought.

But in that she was mistaken.

Her mother's eyes followed her with a look of love and sympathy.
"Dear child!" she said in a low aside to her father, "she misses Elsie sorely; I sometimes think almost more than I do, they were so inseparable and so strongly attached." Vi's heart was very full, for Elsie's marriage, though far, far from being so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some respects even more the breaking up of a life that had been very sweet.
She sought the studio she and Elsie had shared together (how lonely and deserted it seemed!) and there gave vent to her feelings in a burst of tears.
"O Elsie, darling! we were so happy together! such dear friends! with never a disagreement, hardly a thought unshared! And now I am alone! all alone!" She had unconsciously spoken aloud.

A soft sweet voice echoed the last word.
"Alone! ah, my darling, no! not while your mother lives.

You and I must cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two loving arms enfolded her and a gentle kiss was imprinted upon cheek and brow.
"Dearest mamma!" cried Violet, returning the caress, "forgive me that I should indulge in such grief while you are left me--you and your dear love, the greatest of earthly treasures." "Yes, dear child, your grief is very natural.