‘Yes,’ said Carrie, ‘I think he would.’
‘Then you think nonsense.’
‘I know him better than you do, Phil.’
‘Well, explain me this then—if so be he will not oppose our marriage, why doth he hasten from London at first hint of your meeting me?’
‘He could not forbid it did he understand all I shall tell him; ’twould not be like my father to do so. Phil, you do not know him. You do not guess even at his generous heart—you——’
‘Generous!’ laughed Phil; ‘no, no, not so generous as that.’
‘Phil, I shall see him—whatever you say, I shall see him!’ cried Carrie, and she tried once more to escape towards the door.
And Phil, fairly mastered now by his temper, flung the door wide open, crying out: ‘Go to him then, if you love him the best.’
A moment later he saw Carrie swirl down the narrow panelled passage of the inn into the very arms of Sebastian, who had appeared at the far end of it.
‘Lord, Carrie!’ he heard Sebastian exclaim, as he laughed his jolly whole-hearted laugh and kissed his daughter on either cheek with more fervour than gentility. Then there was an incoherent murmur of exclamation and sobs from Carrie, then Sebastian’s voice again:—