A moment later she entered the room where less than half an hour before she had left Darrell. Mr. Underwood was walking up and down. As Kate entered he turned towards her with a look of solicitude, which quickly changed to one of surprise, tinged with anger.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, looking at his watch; "it is within an hour of the time set for your wedding; you don't look much like a bride. Do you expect to be married in that dress?"
"I am not to be married to-day, papa; nor any other day to Mr. Walcott," Kate answered, calmly.
"What!" he exclaimed, scarcely comprehending the full import of her words; "isn't the matter bad enough as it is without your making it worse by any foolish talk or actions?"
"I don't understand you, papa; to what do you refer?"
"Why, Mr. Walcott has just been called out of town by news that his father is lying at the point of death; it is doubtful whether he will live till his son can reach him. He has to take the first train south which leaves within half an hour; otherwise, he would have waited for the ceremony to be performed."
"Did he tell you that?" Kate asked, with intense scorn.
"Certainly, and he left his farewells for you, as he hadn't time even to stop to see you."
"It is well that he didn't attempt it," Kate replied, with spirit; "I would have told him to his face that he lied."