MILLIE' VICTORY.

sisters as I do to you. They wouldn't understand me.
Besides," he added, cheerfully, "there is plenty of
happiness for you yet, Millie, dear."
 "C You have not lost your mother, Reginald. Mamma
was all the world to me; the world is nothing
now I have lost her. You cannot think how I loved
her. I had no sisters nor brothers. She was every-
thing to me."
 "You have a brother and sisters. Now, Millie,
dear, I love you as much as ever brother loved a sister.
Won't you love me a little."
 "I do, I always shall. You are all so kind to
me."
 Her eyes were filling fast with tears. Reginald
changed the subject.
 "Millie, when you are really well, do you know
what papa is going to do ?"
 "cI No."
 Ask Miss Conway to let you join the girls every
day in their lessons. Shan't you like to ?"
 Oh so much, but aunt will never allow me."
 She will. She is afraid of papa, I think."
 Millie did not answer. Reginald's words had
raised a question in her mind. She was determined to
decide it the next time she saw her aunt. She had
already heard from her the particulars of her mother's
death, and received a kind message from Mrs. La
Serre, at whose house her mother had died. But it
said nothing of her not writing, and not hearing from
Millie, who thought her old friend must be fast forget-
ting her.
 The next day Millie went back to Briony Cottage.
The same afternoon she spoke to her aunt.
 "Aunt Millicent, will you answer me a question ?"
 Well ?"