It was evident to my mind now that this old man was a panic-stricken monomaniac, and had infected his daughter with his fears.
"Kate," I said, as I took her by her hands and pulled her to the sofa beside me, "you are running away from something; it is not from me, is it?"
"I want you to go with us," she answered.
"But you knew when you asked me that I could not go so suddenly. You expected me to refuse."
"No," she said, "I expect you to consent."
"Be careful. In a moment of bravado I may take you at your word, at any cost!"
She caught hold of me. "Do," she said, tremulously, and I felt a little shiver in her hand. "Do, do."
"I would rather go with you than lose you," I said at a hazard, "and if you are determined to go, I believe I will accompany you if your father will consent."
"We are determined," she calmly replied.
"But I must put my affairs in order," I suggested.