The question was unpremeditated; it flashed up, and was spoken out. But Dorothea had hit the mark now. Not only so, for the weapon which she flung bounded back and inflicted at least a scratch upon herself. She was startled first to see Edred's usually impassive face flush and grow pale; then she was still more startled to feel herself becoming just a degree more colourless than usual. It was not enough to strike a careless observer—only enough to rouse her own anger. What utter nonsense!
"Ah! I see!" she said.
Edred made no response whatever, and before Dorothea could decide what she would say next, the door was thrown open.
"Father, Mr. Claughton is waiting to speak to you."
The Colonel, entering roughly, stopped short and bowed. He looked very much out of temper, Edred Claughton thought; while Dorothea, bettor used to the Colonel's varieties of expression, read more truly the signs of trouble.
Edred had risen, and the Colonel did not sit down; so the two remained upright, each facing the other.
"I shall not take up many minutes of your time," said Edred apologetically, putting away as it were all remnants of his talk with Dorothea, and becoming instantly the polite Curate, intent on business. "You are probably busy."
"I am—very busy indeed," said Colonel Tracy, with sharpness.
"I have merely called to inquire—"
"Well?" thrust in the impatient Colonel.