“What is it, Effie?” he asked.
“I think,” replied Effie in evident trepidation, “I think that I hear mother outside and Anne too.”
“Well, dear, they have come to see me.”
“Yes, and to scold me because I ran away,” and the child drew nearer to her father in a fashion which would have made it clear to any observer that the relations between her and her mother were somewhat strained.
Effie was right. Presently there was a knock at the door and Lady Honoria entered, calm and pale and elegant as ever. She was followed by a dark-eyed somewhat impertinent-looking French bonne, who held up her hands and ejaculated, “Mon Dieu!” as she appeared.
“I thought so,” said Lady Honoria, speaking in French to the bonne. “There she is,” and she pointed at the runaway Effie with her parasol.
“Mon Dieu!” said the woman again. “Vous voilà enfin, et moi, qui suis accablée de peur, et votre chère mère aussi; oh, mais que c’est méchant; et regardez donc, avec un soulier seulement. Mais c’est affreux!”
“Hold your tongue,” said Geoffrey sharply, “and leave Miss Effie alone. She came to see me.”
Anne ejaculated, “Mon Dieu!” once more and collapsed.
“Really, Geoffrey,” said his wife, “the way you spoil that child is something shocking. She is wilful as can be, and you make her worse. It is very naughty of her to run away like that and give us such a hunt. How are we to get her home, I wonder, with only one shoe.”