And when she had locked her door and saw everything in her room exactly as she left it, the humorous side struck her and she laughed aloud.
"How little I thought all my passionate longings for a freer life, my attempt to launch out into the world, would result in a journey up to London, a bad half-hour or so trying to find Mrs. Toppings' house, a meal and a bed there, and then to-day a journey back again! Not one glance at any of the shops, not a glimpse of a picture gallery. All a hopeless failure, but at all events, I have been saved the humiliation of being dragged back by grandfather. How could Mrs. Toppings be so treacherous! Yes, Colonel Douglas has saved me from that!"
She changed her travelling things, then sped downstairs remembering the note she had left on her grandfather's table. She found it in the same place as she had left it, and with a rueful smile she opened it and read it before she tore it up.
"MY DEAR GRANDFATHER,—I have left you. I feel I must use the talent that has been given to me. I shall do nothing rash, but would rather not tell you what my plans are till later on. I hope to make my fortune by painting. I don't expect to get rich suddenly, but I shall work my way gradually, and when I am independent I shall write to you again."
"Your affectionate granddaughter,"
"JEAN."
"I'm afraid," she said slowly, as she turned and left the room, "I'm afraid, I have acted like a fool!"
Then she rang the bell, and spoke with great dignity when John appeared.
"I hope Mary can give me some dinner. Ask her to send it up, as soon as possible."
"We'll do the best we can," responded John, looking at her keenly; "but you've put us about sorely, Miss Jean."
Jean was silent. When she had dined, she went out into the garden, but kept away from Rawlings. It had been a long day. She was determined to speak to her grandfather before she went to bed, but it seemed to her as if he would never return. At last she heard his footstep in the hall, and went forward to meet him.
"You ought to be in bed, Jean," were his first words. "Has everything gone on well during my absence?"