And so it has come to an end, my life at Branches. I am going to start a
new phase of existence, my first beginning as an adventuress!
How completely all one's ideas can change in a few days! This day three
weeks ago Mrs. Carruthers was alive. This day two weeks ago I found
myself no longer a prospective heiress, and only three days ago I was
contemplating calmly the possibility of marrying Mr. Carruthers; and
now, for heaven, I would not marry any one! And so, for fresh woods and
pastures new! Oh, I want to see the world, and lots of different human
beings; I want to know what it is makes the clock go round--that great
big clock of life. I want to dance and to sing and to laugh, and to
_live_--and--and--yes, perhaps some day to kiss some one I love!