As she left the room Mrs. Chichester thought sadly of the condition
misfortune had placed her in. She brightened as she realised that
they had still one chance--through Alaric--of recouping, even
slightly, the family fortunes. The thought flashed through Mrs.
Chichester's mind of how little Margaret guessed what an honour was
about to be conferred upon her through the nobility of her son in
sacrificing himself on the altar of duty. The family were indeed
repaying good for evil--extending the olive branch--in tendering
their idol as a peace-offering at the feet of the victorious Peg.
Meanwhile, that young lady had suddenly remembered two things--
firstly--that she must not return to her father in anything Mrs.
Chichester had given her. Out of one of the drawers she took the
little old black jacket and skirt and the flat low shoes and the
red-flowered hat. Secondly, it darted through her mind that she had
left Jerry's present to her in its familiar hiding-place beneath a
corner of the carpet. Not waiting to change into the shabby little
dress, she hurried downstairs into the empty living-room, ran
across, and there, sure enough, was her treasure undisturbed. She
took it up and a pang went through her heart as it beat in on her
that never again would its donor discuss its contents with her.
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