Mr. Fabian drove around to the stables, gave his team up to the groom, and walked back to the house with Clarence.
"You must not drop a word to Violet about Cora's intended journey. She thinks that Cora has only come to spend the night with her. If she knew otherwise she would be too distressed to sleep. Not until after breakfast to-morrow is she to be told that Cora is going away; and never is she to know that our niece has been driven away."
"I understand, Fabian. Who is going to Washington with Cora?"
"No one that I know of; but she is quite able to take care of herself, so far."
"I will not have it so, Fabian. I will go with our niece!" said Mr. Clarence.
"Are you mad? The monarch would never forgive such misprision of treason. He would discard you, Clarence!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, in consternation.
"I do not think so. Our father is too just for that. And in any case I shall take the risk."
"The Iron King is just in all his business relations; he would not be otherwise to save himself from bankruptcy. But has he been just to Cora?"
"From his point of view. He has not been kind; that is all. I must be kind to our niece at all costs."
This brought them to the door of the house, which Mr. Fabian opened with his latch key, and the two men entered the parlor together.