"Pardon me," said Trevelyan. "I would wish that she should come,—but it must be on certain conditions."
"What I want to know is why she was turned out of your house?"
"She was not turned out."
"What has she done that she should be punished?" urged Sir Marmaduke, who was unable to arrange his questions with the happiness which had distinguished Major Magruder. "I insist upon knowing what it is that you lay to her charge. I am her father, and I have a right to know. She has been barbarously, shamefully ill-used, and by G—— I will know."
"You have come here to bully me, Sir Marmaduke Rowley."
"I have come here, sir, to do the duty of a parent to his child; to protect my poor girl against the cruelty of a husband who in an unfortunate hour was allowed to take her from her home. I will know the reason why my daughter has been treated as though,—as though,—as though—"
"Listen to me for a minute," said Trevelyan.
"I am listening."
"I will tell you nothing; I will answer you not a word."
"You will not answer me?"