“He has come out of it, then!” interjected Coralie.
“I thought papa would go upstairs,” said Vera. “Instead of that, he came on into the room. I crept behind the old red window-curtains, and——”
“And what?” asked Coralie, for Verena made a sudden pause.
“Groaned out with fright, and nearly betrayed myself,” continued Verena. “Papa stared at the curtains as if he thought they were alive, and then and there backed out of the room. Perhaps he feared a ghost was there. He was looking so strange, Coralie.”
“All your fault, child. Since the night you went away he has looked more like a maniac than a rational man, and acted like one. I have just said so to Johnny Ludlow.”
“Poor papa! I will be good and tractable as an angel now, and make it up to him. And—why, Coralie, here are visitors.”
We gazed in surprise. It is not usual to receive calls at bedtime. Ozias stood at the door showing in Captain Tanerton. Behind him was Alfred Saxby.
The captain’s manner was curious. No sooner did he set eyes on us than he started back, as if he thought we might bite him.
“Not here. Not the ladies. I told you it was Sir Dace I wanted,” he said in quick sentences to Ozias. “Sir Dace alone.”