"No; I could not see him anywhere," answered Fanny.
"You were not there by six o'clock, nor yet by half-past six; for your father came here about a quarter to seven to ask if you were going out, for he had not seen you anywhere."
"Father came here?" uttered Fanny, slowly.
"Yes, he did, and seemed a good deal put about that you were not at the place to meet him. If I could have left my friend, I should have asked him to come in, that I might have had a few words with him about you; but, as it was, I could only tell him that you went out about a quarter to six, as nearly as I could tell."
Fanny tossed her head. "I want to give you warning to-morrow, and so you need not trouble yourself about me if father does," she said.
Mrs. Lloyd took no notice of this rude speech, and Fanny went upstairs to take off her hat before setting the supper-tray.
The next morning, directly after breakfast, when Fanny went to clear the table, she said—
"If you please, ma'am, I should like to leave this day month, and can I have an hour this morning to see a lady about another place?"
Mrs. Lloyd looked at her in amazement.
"Another place!" she repeated. "Have you told your mother and father what you intend to do?"