Mr. Pericles made no sign, but Sir Purcell leaned forward to her with a gaze of astonishment, almost of horror.
"Will you take me?" persisted Emilia.
Still the sullen Greek refused either to look at her or to answer.
"Because I am ready to go," she went on. "I want to go at once; to-day, if you like. I am getting too old to waste an hour."
Mr. Pericles uncrossed his legs, ejaculating, "What a fog! Ah!" and that was all. He rose, and went to a cupboard.
Sir Purcell murmured hurriedly in Emilia's ear, "Have you considered what you've been saying?"
"Yes, yes. It is only a journey," Emilia replied, in a like tone.
"A journey!"
"My father wishes it."
"Your mother?"