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Show - k9 - Mrs. Gaven's voice was equally harsh and her eyes were cold asx stone when she addressed him. "Young man, you are not welcome here. I have told you time and again that Claudine is not for you. My husband and I have other plans for our daughter and you are not a part of them. Try to understand that she lives in a world that does not include your kind. As long as I live I will do everything in my power to prevent you from marrying her. She is meant for another." Dirk's face was furious and he threw her a scowling look, turned abruptly and walked away. "Dirk, Dirk, please come back," entreated Claudine, but he was gone out of sight into the schrubs and out the small gate at the back of the house. "Come, ma chere," said her mother soothingly. "Let him go. There are so many chores that must be done before your departure tomorrow." A stricken look came over Claudine's face for she now fully realized that her parents would never accept Dirk as their son-in-law. She obediently followed her mother. Penny looked out of the gazebo and there was a sudden stillness. Gone was the sunshine and the happy crowd. It was as though nothing had happened. She sat very still for a moment, hoping it would all come back. The afternoon fog was sweeping and curls of mist were clinging to the bushes tightly low on the grown. She pulled the collar of her sweater around her throat and shivered. Was it from the dampness or was it just a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension? She was just about to get up and go into the house when she thought she saw a figure. She strained her eyes to see closer and knew immediately that it was the ghost of Gaven House roaming the gardens of her home. What happened during the time Claudine was in France? thought Penny. Tom had told them that Dirk went off, determined to get money by any means |