CHAPTER VII
In the Ormsby household father and daughter sat in the darkness on the veranda. After Laura Ormsby's encounter with McGregor there had been another talk between her and David. Now she had gone on a visit to her home-town in Wisconsin and father and daughter sat together.
To his wife David had talked pointedly of Margaret's affair. “It is not a matter of good sense,” he had said; “one can not pretend there is a prospect of happiness in such an affair. The man is no fool and may some day be a big man but it will not be the kind of bigness that will bring either happiness or contentment to a woman like Margaret. He may end his life in jail.”
McGregor and Edith walked up the gravel walk and stood by the front door of the Ormsby house. From the darkness on the veranda came the hearty voice of David. “Come and sit out here,” he said.
McGregor stood silently waiting. Edith clung to his arm. Margaret got up and coming forward stood looking at them. With a jump at her heart she sensed the crisis suggested by the presence of these two people. Her voice trembled with alarm. “Come in,” she said, turning and leading the way into the house.
The man and woman followed Margaret. At the door McGregor stopped and called to David. “We want you in here with us,” he said harshly.
In the drawing room the four people waited. The great chandelier threw its light down upon them. In her chair Edith sat and looked at the floor.