"I wonder what Captain Yorke Clayton would think about her," said Ada. "He does understand music, and is very fond of young ladies who can sing. I heard him say that the Miss Ormesbys of Castlebar sang beautifully; and he sings himself, I know."
"Captain Clayton has something else to do at present than to watch the career of Miss O'Mahony in London." This was said by their father, and was the first word he had spoken since they had sat down to dinner. It was felt to convey some reproach as to Rachel; but why a reproach was necessary was not explained.
Peter was now out of the room, and the door was shut.
"Rachel and I have come to understand each other," said Frank. "She is to have the spending of her money by herself, and I by myself am to enjoy life at Morony Castle."
"Is this her decision?" asked Edith.
It was on Frank's lips to declare that it was so; but he remembered himself, and swallowed down the falsehood unspoken.
"No," he said; "it was not her decision. She offered to share it all with me."
"And you?" said his father.
"Well, I didn't consent; and so we arranged that matters should be brought to an end between us."
"I knew what she would do," said Ada.