CHAPTER XV.
Nervous and trembling, in a condition verging on total collapse, the young girl suffered herself to be led into the parlor, there to face the strange tribunal which was to pass judgment upon her. Further resistance she felt was useless. That she realized. These men would sit there and persecute her until she surrendered and submitted to their merciless cross-examination. Whether they had a legal right thus to invade the privacy of her home she did not know. Mr. Ricaby had gone to Albany, and there was no way of communicating with him. No doubt her uncle and Mr. Cooley knew he was away and had taken advantage of it. If only Tod would come. Perhaps he had already received the message.
As she entered, the doctors half rose from their chairs and bowed. There was a quiet dignity in her manner that compelled their respect. Each looked intently at her, and Dr. McMutrie, leaving his seat, placed a chair for her so she might face them.
"Now, Miss Marsh," he said, not unkindly, "please don't be alarmed. There is nothing to be afraid of. We are here only for your own good. Won't you please answer the few questions we shall ask you? It is merely a matter of form. Please take a seat, and above all, don't be nervous."
Paula sat down, and he returned to his place. Mr. Cooley made a sign to Mrs. Parkes to withdraw, and the landlady was about to obey when Paula stopped her.
"Please don't go, Mrs. Parkes—please don't go!" she cried almost hysterically.
Mr. Cooley was about to object, but on a sign of assent from the head of the commission, the landlady was allowed to remain.
Mr. Cooley now proceeded to business.
"We ask your pardon, Miss Marsh, for what seems to be an unwarranted intrusion, but—the law prescribes our rights—that is, my client's right to take any steps he may deem necessary to see you and bring these gentlemen with him for the purpose of—er—talking over your future."
"My future?" she echoed. Looking around in bewilderment she demanded: "Who—who are these gentlemen?"