You know we all hope this is going to be a
fresh start. I am sure you were deceived.'
'Yes,' said Dolores. 'I never could have thought he--Uncle Alfred--was
such a dreadful man'
'I expect that since he lost your mother's influence and help he may
have sunk lower than when you had seen him before. Did your father
give you any directions about him?'
'No. Father hated to hear of him' and never spoke about him if he
could help it; and we thought it was all Mohun high notions because he
wasn't quite a gentleman.'
'I see. Indeed, my dear, though you have done very wrong, I have
already felt that there was great excuse for you in trying to keep up
intercourse with a person who belonged to your mother. I wish you had
told me, but I suppose you were afraid.'
'Yes' said Dolores. 'And I thought you were sure to be cross and
harsh,' she muttered. And then suddenly looking up, 'Oh, Aunt Lily!
everybody is angry but you--you and Mysie! Please go on being kind! I
believe you've been good to me always.'
'My dear, I've tried,' said Lady Merrifield, with fears in her brown
eyes and a choke in her voice caressing the hand that had been put into
hers. 'I have wished very much to make you happy with us; but the ways
of a large family must be a trial to a new-comer.'
Dolores raised her face for a kiss, and said, 'I see it now. But I did
not like everything always, and I thought aunts were sure to be
unkind.'
'That was very hard. And why?'
She was heard to mutter something about aunts in books always being
cross.
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