"I'll go immediately."
"You'll have some supper first. It will take me only a moment to place it on the table."
"No, mother, thank you; after I come back; or perhaps I'll eat over there. Don't wait for me." He was out of the house, and nearly running along the road.
Dorian found Carlia's father and mother under great mental strain.
"We're so glad you came," they said; "we're sure you can help her."
"What is the matter!"
"We hardly know. We don't understand. This afternoon—that Mr. Jack Lamont—you remember him—he used to come here. Well, he hasn't been around for over a year, for which we were very thankful, until this afternoon when he came in his automobile. Carlia was in the garden, and she saw him drive up to the gate. When he alighted and came toward her, she seemed frightened out of her wits, for she ran terror stricken into the house. She went up to her bedroom and would not come down."
"He did not see her, then, to talk to her?"
"No; he waited a few moments only, then drove off again."
"Where is Carlia now?"
"Still up in her room."