As they rose from the table, Ogden entered again, bowed gravely to Rose, and informed her she was wanted in the study.
Kate looked at her sister in surprise, and noticed with wonder her changing face. But Rose, without a word, followed the valet, her heart throbbing faster than it had throbbed last night.
Captain Danton was pacing up and down his study when she entered, with the sternest face she had ever seen him wear. In silence he pointed to a seat, continuing his walk; his daughter sat down, pale, but otherwise dauntless.
"Rose!" he said, stopping before her, "what took you into Mr. Richards' rooms last night?"
"Curiosity, papa," replied Rose, readily, but in secret quaking.
"Do you know you did a very mean act? Do you know you were playing the spy?"
The colour rushed to Rose's face, and her head dropped.
"You knew you were forbidden to enter there; you knew you were prying into what was no affair of yours; you knew you were doing wrong, and would displease me; and yet in the face of all this, you deliberately stole into his room like a spy, like a thief, to discover for yourself. Rose Danton, I am ashamed of you!"
Rose burst out crying. Her father was very angry, and deeply mortified; and Rose really was very fond of her indulgent father.
"Oh, papa! I didn't mean—I never thought—oh, please, papa, forgive me!"