“Colonel Houston, I thank you! Mrs. Houston,” she continued, in a faltering voice; “I returned here only—because—it was my appointed place of abode—the home selected for me by my parents and—Ralph.”
“Never mind about Ralph now, my child,” said the colonel, in a gentle tone, which nevertheless cut Margaret to the heart. She meekly bowed her head and passed on to her own apartments, followed by Mrs. Houston, who threw herself into a chair and immediately commenced a close catechism, which was interrupted in the midst by Margaret saying:
“Dear Mrs. Houston, not from any want of respect to you, and not in defiance of your authority, but from the direst necessity—Oh, what am I saying!” She stopped suddenly in great anguish and remained silent.
“Margaret Helmstedt, what mean you?” demanded Mrs. Houston, indignantly.
“Nothing! I mean nothing!”
“You mean to affront me!”
“No, Heaven knows!”
“How can you explain or defend your conduct?”
“In no manner!”
“And you expect us quietly to submit to your contumacy?”