"I will see the gentleman in the parlor," she said.
Five minutes later she entered the ladies' parlor. Hartley rose to receive her with a smile of conscious power, which told Harriet Vernon that he was ignorant of the miscarriage of his plans.
"I heard of your unexpected arrival, Mrs. Vernon," he commenced, "and have called to pay my respects."
"Your motive is appreciated, John Hartley," she said, coldly. "I expected to see you."
"That's pleasant," he said, mockingly. "May I beg to apologize for constraining you to cross the Atlantic?"
"Don't apologize; you have merely acted out your nature."
"Probably that is not meant to be complimentary. However, it can't be helped."
"I suppose you have something to say to me, John Hartley," said Mrs. Vernon, seating herself. "Pray proceed."
"You are quite right. I wrote you that I had ferreted out your cunningly devised place of concealment for my daughter."
"You did."