"And where was that, may I ask?"
"To New York, to interview my father."
"But your father was not in New York?"
"He was daily expected here. The steamer on which he had sailed from Southampton was due on Tuesday."
"Had she an interest in seeing your father? Was there any special reason why she should leave you for doing so?"
"She thought so; she thought he would become reconciled to her entrance into our family if he should see her suddenly and without prejudiced persons standing by."
"And did you fear to mar the effect of this meeting if you accompanied her?"
"No, for I doubted if the meeting would ever take place. I had no sympathy with her schemes, and did not wish to give her the sanction of my presence."
"Was that the reason you let her go to New York alone?"
"Yes."