For a moment Ranald stood without reply.
“She is out, you say?” he answered at length.
“She is out with Captain De Lacy.” He caught the touch of triumph in her voice.
“Will she be back soon?” inquired Ranald, looking baffled.
“Of course one cannot tell in such a case,” answered Miss St. Clair, “but I should think not.” Miss St. Clair was enjoying herself. It did her good to see this insolent, square-jawed young man standing helpless before her.
“It is important that I should see her,” said Ranald, after a few moments' thought. “I shall wait.” Had Miss St. Clair known him better she would have noticed with some concern the slow fires kindling in his eyes. As it was she became indignant.
“That, Mr. Macdonald, you shall not; and allow me to say frankly that your boldness—your insolence—I may say, is beyond all bounds.”
“Insolence, and when?” Ranald was very quiet.
“You come to the house of your employer, whom you have insulted, and demand to see his daughter.”
“I have a right to see her.”