“I must go down to him, Kate,” she declared, springing up; “I won’t leave you alone for more than a minute or two.”
But when the minute or two had elapsed and there was a knock at my door, it was not Alice who had returned. I answered in a low voice, and my father entered.
CHAPTER XI
THE GATHERING OF THE CLOUD
From my low chair I watched my father cross the room. So far as I could see there was no change in him. He came over to my side and took my hand with an air of anxious kindliness. Then he stooped down, and his lips touched my forehead.
“You are better, Kate?” he inquired, quietly.
“Quite well,” I answered.
He looked at me thoughtfully, and asked a few questions about my illness, touched upon his own visit to the Bishop, and the dignity which had been offered to him. Then after a short pause, during which my heart beat fiercely, he came and sat down by my side.
“Kate! You are strong enough to listen to me while I speak just for a moment or two upon a very painful subject.”