Bluebell’s state of repression could endure no longer.  She began by entreating Mrs. Rolleston to accept Mrs. Leighton’s situation, and let her go to England at once; and after that it did not take much pressing to induce her to make full confession of all that had passed.

It must be remembered that Bluebell was under the impression that her friend had always known of the flirtation between herself and Bertie; but now for the first time the horror-stricken Mrs. Rolleston had her eyes opened to what had been passing before them.

Everything burst on her at once.  Recollection and perception awoke together.  To keep it from Cecil seemed the most urgent necessity, and the removal of Bluebell the thing most to be wished for.

Bluebell was disposed to keep back nothing, and answered every question with frank recklessness.  She told of their first walk in the wood, their frequent interviews at “The Maples,” and Bertie’s visit to the cottage, laughing at the idea of having ever seriously cared for Jack Vavasour.

Mrs. Rolleston remembered that Cecil had not shared her delusion on that subject, and anxiously inquired if she had ever acknowledged to her her penchant for Bertie.

Bluebell answered in the negative, giving as a reason that, though unable to guess the cause, her manner had always repelled any approach to confidence on that subject.

Mrs. Rolleston remembered Cecil’s strange behaviour that afternoon, but she had not even seen Bluebell since the picnic.  It remained unaccountable.

She reflected with vexation on the fatality that had made her refuse the child’s confidence so many months before; but yet she hoped no harm was done, since Bluebell averred that Bertie and Cecil were engaged.

The letter to Mrs. Leighton was written that night ready for the morning mail; another was also despatched to Mrs. Leigh at Bluebell’s request, who was anxious that Mrs. Rolleston should break the rather summary measures to her—­not that the latter anticipated much difficulty there.  All Canadians have a great idea of a visit to England, which they tenaciously speak of as “home,” and “the old country.”  And she would probably be glad that Bluebell should see her father’s birthplace.

At the child’s express wish, it was also arranged for her to go home at once, as companionship with Cecil could now be agreeable to neither of them.

Mrs. Rolleston had only seen Du Meresq for a moment before he went away, yet his manner, no less than her step-daughter’s, clearly indicated that something was wrong.  Even Colonel Rolleston had taken up an attitude of impenetrable reserve, and his wife was completely at fault.  Next day, however, the shock and terror of Cecil’s illness fell upon them, turning her mind to a more immediate subject of anxiety.

Bluebell could not do less than offer to remain, and share the vigils in the sick room; but even in delirium Cecil became palpably worse when her rival approached, so, in a few days, with much sadness, she bade farewell to those who had made the world of her “most memorial year.”