"Ah! yes, that I understand. The walk back! Why is Willoughby away to-day?"
"He has business."
After several steps she said: "He makes very sure of papa."
"Not without reason, you will find," said Vernon.
"Can it be? I am bewildered. I had papa's promise."
"To leave the Hall for a day or two."
"It would have been . . ."
"Possibly. But other heads are at work as well as yours. If you had been in earnest about it you would have taken your father into your confidence at once. That was the course I ventured to propose, on the supposition."
"In earnest! I cannot imagine that you doubt it. I wished to spare him."
"This is a case in which he can't be spared."