He unfolded his pocket-book and took out a bill, which he held before her.
She started, and turned pale. "I did not mean you should ever see it," she said, quickly. "Indeed, papa, I meant to save all my spending money until I had paid it myself."
"Did your aunt know of this deception?" he asked, looking keenly in her face. "If you have not lost the power of speaking the truth, tell me, did Aunt Clarissa encourage this deceit? Remember, I am not in a mood to be trifled with!"
"No, sir!" was the faltering reply.
"How, then, did she suppose you obtained these expensive articles, entirely unsuited to your years?"
She was silent.
"Speak and speak the truth!" he said, in a loud, excited tone.
"I told her you gave them to me."
The words were almost inarticulate; but they reached his ears.
"Lie upon lie," he repeated, bitterly. "Oh, Alice, that I should ever live to bless the day your mother died! But this conduct would have killed her!"