“You mean that you would have been happier with them than with me?”

As she thought of the keen suffering her love for him had entailed upon her, of the dreary days and sleepless nights she had recently passed in that elegant luxurious home, her eyes deepened in tint, saddened in expression, and she said: 

“You have been very kind and generous to me, and I gratefully appreciate all you have done; but if you insist on an answer, I must confess I was happier two years ago than I am now.”

“Thank you.  The truth, no matter how unflattering, is always far more agreeable to me than equivocation, or disingenuous-ness.  Does my ward believe that it will conduce to her future happiness to leave my roof, and find a residence elsewhere?”

“I know I should be happier with my mother.”

“Then I congratulate myself as the bearer of delightful tidings Regina, it gives me pleasure to relieve you from your present disagreeable surroundings, by informing you of the telegram received to-day by cable from your mother.  It was dated two days ago at Naples, and is as follows:  ’Send Regina to me by the first steamer to Havre.  I will meet her in Paris.’”

Involuntarily the girl exclaimed: 

“Thank God!”

The joyful expression of her countenance rendered it impossible to doubt the genuineness of her satisfaction at the intelligence; and though Mr. Palma kept close guard over his own features lest they should betray his emotion, an increasing paleness attested the depth of his feelings.

“How soon can I go?”

“In two days a steamer sails for Havre, and I have already engaged a passage for you.  Doubtless you are aware that Mrs. Palma and Olga hold themselves in readiness to start at any hour, and your friend and admirer Mr. Chesley will go over in the same steamer; consequently with so chivalrous an escort you cannot fail to have a pleasant voyage.  Since you are so anxious to escape from my guardianship, I may be pardoned for emulating your frankness, and acknowledging that I am heartily glad you will soon cease to be my ward.  Mr. Chesley is ambitious of succeeding to my authority, and I have relinquished my claim as guardian, and referred him to your mother, to whose hands I joyfully resign you.  A residence in Europe will, I hope, soon obliterate the unpleasant associations connected with my house.”

“A lifetime would never obliterate the memory of all your kindness to me, or of some hours I have passed in this beautiful library.  For all you have done I now desire, Mr. Palma, to thank you most sincerely.”

She looked up at the grave, composed face so handsome in its regular, high-bred outlines, and her mouth trembled, while her deep eyes grew misty.