It came to her grim and stern, and she knew
instinctively that he hated the errand that had brought him.
"I have come down to fetch you," he said. "I do not approve of your
being here alone. It is unusual and quite unnecessary. You are quite
well?"
"Yes, I am well," Priscilla said. "But why should you object to my being
here?"
She stood still, facing him. She knew who had inspired this
interference, and from the bottom of her soul she resented it. Her
father did not answer. Thinking it over calmly later, she knew that he
was ashamed.
"Be ready to start from here in half an hour," he said. "We shall catch
the nine-thirty."
Priscilla made no further protest. Her father had never addressed that
tone to her before, and it cut her to the heart.
"Very well," she said; and turned to go.
Her deep voice held no anger, and only Romeo, pressed close against her,
knew that the hand that had just caressed him was clenched and
quivering.
VIII
HER SIMPLE DUTY
Priscilla left a hastily scribbled note for Carfax in Froggy's keeping.
In it she explained that she was obliged to go to town, but that she
would meet him there any day before noon at any place that he would
appoint. Froggy was to be the medium of his communication also.
She made no mention of Carfax to her father. He had hurt her far too
deeply for any confidence to be possible.
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