ncing flames lulled her into recollection of a dinner with her parents
the weekend before。
〃I don't understand；〃 her mother had tried to reason with her； 〃why you
have to take off all by yourself。 We've tried so hard to do what's best。
Have we failed？〃
Arodous to ease her mother's worry； Anne had forced a smile。 〃No； you
didn't fail。 I just want to get out of the city for a while。 You know；
get a little of that fresh…air…and…color…on…my…cheeks type of thing？〃
〃Well； you could certainly use that；〃 came her father's deep voice。 Tall
and distinguished…looking； Anthony Faulke's sturdy frame belied his
near sixty years。 Anne took the darkness of her hair and eyes from him；
though her willowed shapeliness was her mother's。 〃But we'd have liked
to have you join us on the shore in several weeks。 Won't you reconsider
and wait until then？〃
Anne shook her head。 Not a hair moved。 It was in a somber knot at the
nape of her neck。 〃Now's the time。 I've already made the arrangements
and paid for the place。〃
Her mother tried again。 〃But you've never enjoyed traveling alone。
Wouldn't it be better to have someone with you？ If I didn't have the
charity luncheon on Wednesday； I'd go with you myself。 You need pany；
Anne。〃
Anne hated worrying her parents。 They had suffered nearly as much as she
had； having to stand by and watch helplessly as their elder daughter's
life fell apart。 When they looked at her； Anne knew what they saw。 She
saw it in the mirror each morning； the pallor in an oval face framed by
pitch…black hair。
Still； she said； 〃I really have no choice； have I； Mother？ I've been
more fortunate th