His steady eyes met mine with that look which seemed to read my very soul. I had a strange feeling that he knew all the nervous, foolish ideas that had passed through my mind.
"Do you know how Paulina is this morning?" I asked hurriedly. "Has aunt heard?"
"Yes, Mr. Dicks went down to 'Ivy House' at a very early hour and brought back word that his daughter had passed a restless night," he replied. "Still, I do not think there is any cause for anxiety; the fever must take its course."
"Poor Paulina!" I said. "It is hard to imagine her anything but restless under the circumstances."
"She is not exactly reposeful at any time, is she?" he responded with a smile. "I feel very much for her father. He seems terribly upset by this wholly unlooked-for development of affairs."
"He is not allowed to see her, is he?" I asked.
"No, I believe he does not even enter the house. Miss Cottrell gives her report from a window. This is her opportunity."
I could not help laughing, though I felt it was mean when the spinster was acting so bravely.
"Whatever will he do without Paulina?" I said.
"Well, you know, he has not always had a great deal of her company," Mr. Faulkner replied; "but Mrs. Lucas is puzzled to think how she can best divert his thoughts. By the by, I was to say that he is coming to take you for a drive presently. He has forestalled me, for I was going to ask you to cycle with me this afternoon."