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Vane told Alie and Bride that she was going to Seacove, and they might go with her. Alie's eyes sparkled. 'Are you going to she began, and her mother seemed to understand her without any more words. 'Yes, she said, 'I have got all the measures.
'She's awfully jolly, put in Rough. Mrs. Vane smiled. 'What an uncommon name, she said. "Célestine," did you say? It is French. 'No, mamma, not "Célestine," said Alie, "Celestina." I suppose it's the English of the other. 'I never heard it in English before, said Mrs. Vane, 'though I once had a dear old friend in France called "Célestine" you remember Madame d'Ermont, Bernard?
The one at Seacove, when papa and mamma were away after his being so ill, and when you all gave me the doll-house the dear old doll-house; do you know I really sometimes play with it still? I often think of Seacove. 'So do I, said Alie.
'There they are, she exclaimed, as two figures came in sight; 'shall we run, Biddy? and almost without waiting for a reply off she set, Bridget following more slowly. When she got up to them Celestina and Alie were talking together eagerly. They stopped short as Biddy ran up, but she heard Celestina's last words, 'Mother says she'll be sure to get it by to-morrow or the day after.
It was more tiring work than she had expected. Before they got to the top of the bank Alie had decided that they would have done better to remain where they were, on the smooth firm sand down below, but once at the top she changed again.
'Oh, mamma, she exclaimed, 'and you said you'd come to Celestina's house. It's too bad. Mrs. Vane looked at her in surprise. 'I did not say so, Biddy; I said we should see. And we are going there now. You have no reason to be so impatient and to look so cross, and she turned and walked on quickly. 'Biddy, said Alie, 'you're too bad really. You spoil everything.
She had large, earnest, perhaps somewhat wistful, brown eyes, which made her face attractive and interesting when you looked at it closely, though at first sight it was too small and pale to catch one's attention. She stood there quietly and very grave, her eyes fixed on Alie Vane's lovely and sweet face, yet without the slightest shadow of forwardness or freedom in her gaze.
Don't be vexed with her, she said to Alie with a sort of childish dignity that seemed to suit her. 'I think my name is funny; mother called it me 'cos , but p'raps we'd better go on. I've been out a good while and mother might be wondering what I was doing, and then if the letter for father matters much 'Yes, said Alie; 'you're quite right; we'd better be quick.
'Papa says he's an awfully good sort of man; he gives all his spare time to the organ for nothing. 'That's very nice, said Alie approvingly. They were near the actual town of Seacove by this time town or village, it was difficult to say which, though the rows of tall masts a little way off in the docks and the paved streets hardly seemed to suit the idea of a village.
But before Alie could say anything to smooth matters, her mother called Bridget from her seat and made her stand before her. 'Bridget, she said, 'I don't know what to say to you. Have you no heart or feeling at all? How can you say such things. I do not believe in your not understanding; you can understand when you choose, and you are nearly eight years old.
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