Do you think that that sounds inviting?"
"A great deal too good to be true," said Mrs. Vavasour,
laughing. "I never believe thoroughly in these earthly
paradises." But Madelon did not laugh; her eyes lighted up,
her cheeks glowed.
"Ah!" she cried, "I can imagine all that. I believe in such
places; they exist somewhere in the world, but one cannot get
to them."
"One can sometimes," said Graham; "for perhaps Maria and I are
going to this one, and then you had better become an invalid
as fast as possible, Madelon, that Aunt Barbara may bring you
there too."
"And you are really going?" she asked, with a sad sick feeling
at her heart.
"Perhaps," he said, "we shall see what Maria says. I am afraid
she may not take the same view of it all that you do;" and
Maria coming in at that moment, the conversation dropped.
After tea they were all sitting, as usual, in the drawing-
room; a wood fire burnt and crackled on the low hearth, but
the evening was warm, and the long windows were open to the
lawn, where Graham was walking up and down, smoking a pipe.
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