"I hope you will do nothing of the sort. If we go, it will be because we prefer to do it. There is no question of expulsion."
Mrs. de Cressiers smiled, and patted Sidney on the shoulder.
"I always like to see your de Cressiers blood come to the fore. Go to London, my dear, and things will be different when you return."
So Sidney and her father departed, having the sanction of their dearest friends; and Mrs. Ted Urquhart watched them go with a triumphant heart, for she meant to reign supreme, and she knew that this step would further her resolve.
[CHAPTER XV]
THE GUNS
A FORTNIGHT in town soon slipped away; and then the fortnight lengthened into a month. The Admiral and his daughter found many old friends, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They stayed at a quiet private hotel, and took life more easily than did most of those around them. Sidney saw a great deal of Gavine, who spent all the time she could spare away from her work with them. She did not talk much of her mother; it had never been her way to do so; but one day, when she was wishing Sidney good-night, she clung to her for a minute and whispered:
"Oh, do tell me—is it because of her that you have come away? I can't tell you what torture it is to me to think that we have brought trouble into your family."
"My dear Gavine, nothing has happened except that which God has overruled. I am quite positive of this, and you have nothing in the world to do with it. I am only too delighted to have a holiday from housekeeping, and my father is thoroughly enjoying himself."
"But you will never be able to stand it when you go back. I have been through a little of it, so I know."