"Marian!" exclaimed he, with a degree of emotion of which I had not supposed him capable.
"My poor child! How anxious I have been about you! for that Waterford is a scoundrel."
"I know he is, father. You were right," replied Marian, as she sobbed upon his bosom.
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know."
Mr. Collingsby winked very rapidly; but as it was not dignified to weep, he did not do so. He glanced at me, and he must have suspected that I saw his emotion. He was evidently ashamed of it, for he gently disengaged himself from his daughter's embrace, and fixed his stern gaze upon me.
"So you have come back, Philips?" said he.
"Yes, sir, I have come back. I had business here, and I took the liberty to call."
"Where have you been, sir?"
"After Mr. Whippleton."