'No, my dear.' And somehow the tone had more tenderness in it, though
it was so explicit. 'I shall have no fixed residence, no one with whom
to leave you; and the climate is not fit for you. Your Aunt Lilias has
kindly offered to take charge of you.'

'Oh, father!'

'Well?'

'If you would only let me stay here with Caroline and Fraulein. I like
it so much better.'

'That cannot be, Dolly. I have this morning promised to let the house
as it is to Mr. Smithson.'

'And Caroline?'

'If Caroline takes my advice, she will remain here as his housekeeper,
and I think she will. Well, what is it? You do not mean that you
would prefer going to your Aunts Jane and Ada?'

'Oh no, no; only if I might go to school.'

'This is nonsense, Dolores. It will be much better for you on all
accounts to be with your aunt at Silverfold. I have no fear that she
and her girls will not do their best to make you happy and good, and to
give you what you have sadly wanted, my poor child. I have always
wished you could have seen more of her.'

There could be no doubt from the tone, in the mind of any one who knew