"Mr. Lee, I am not a school-girl, to be crowded into a corner and catechized."
"Madam," he returned, "I think I have a right to know everything connected with my daughter; I will permit no mysteries in this house."
"There have been none on my part or Jessie's," I replied.
"Then be good enough to give me an explanation of what, I own, seems to me a singular proceeding in a lady of your acknowledged discretion."
"It is easily done," I answered, still remembering Jessie, and so remaining reasonably calm. "Yesterday, old Mrs. Bosworth sent for me; her grandson is very ill—he has brain-fever. He begged to see us particularly. I came home and told your wife; she said Jessie should go to-day. We expected you to accompany us. Last night there was no opportunity of speaking to you, every moment of your time was occupied. This morning, you were gone; but as I had the mother's permission, I thought it no harm to start. A visit to a sick, almost a dying man, can never injure your daughter, Mr. Lee."
His face flushed at once.
"I was mistaken," he said.
"You must have been cruelly mistaken or misinformed," I replied, coldly, "when you could address me as you have done."
"I beg your pardon, Miss Hyde," he returned.
I granted it with a sullen bend of the head.