Page:The Fruit of the Tree (Wharton 1907).djvu/121

Rh “Yes—at least—but it couldn’t, of course, be the girl I knew"

“Miss Brent saw you the night you arrived, and thought she recognized you. She said you and she had been at some school or convent together.”

“The Sacred Heart? Then it is Justine Brent! I heard they had lost their money—I haven’t seen her for years. But how strange that she should be a hospital nurse! And why is she at Hanaford, I wonder?”

“She was here only on a visit; she didn’t tell me where she lived. She said she heard that a surgical nurse was wanted at the hospital, and volunteered her services; I’m afraid she got small thanks for them.”

“Do you really think they sent her away for talking to you? How do you suppose they found out?”

“I waited for her last night when she left the hospital, and I suppose Mrs. Ogan or one of the doctors saw us. It was thoughtless of me,” Amherst exclaimed with compunction.

“I wish I had seen her—poor Justine! We were the greatest friends at the convent. She was the ringleader in all our mischief—I never saw any one so quick and clever. I suppose her fun is all gone now.”

For a moment Mrs. Westmore’s mind continued to linger among her memories; then she reverted to the question of the Dillons, and of what might best be done for them if Miss Brent’s fears should be realized. [ 107 ]