At breakfast a cable was brought to him.
He opened it and looked in bewilderment at the contents:
"Sailing to-day for New York on White Star boat Celtic. Love. Peg."
CHAPTER XIII
THE MORNING AFTER
The morning after the incident following Peg's disobedience in going to the dance, and her subsequent rebellion and declaration of independence, found all the inmates of Regal Villa in a most unsettled condition. Peg had, as was indicated in a preceding chapter remained by Ethel's side until morning, when, seeing that her cousin was sleeping peacefully, she had gone to her own room to prepare for her leaving.
One thing she was positive about—she would take nothing out of that house she did not bring into it—even to a heartache.
She entered the family a month before Gore at heart—well, she was leaving it in a like condition.
Whilst she was making her few little preparations, Mrs. Chichester was reviewing the whole situation in her room. She was compelled to admit, however outraged her feelings may have been the previous night, that should Peg carry out her intention to desert them, the family would be in a parlous condition. The income from Mr. Kingsnorth's will was indeed the one note of relief to the distressed household. She had passed a wretched night, and after a cup of tea in her room, and a good long period of reflection, she decided to seek the aid of the head of the family—her son.