The Governor returned to his smoking-room. For a long half-hour he ranged about, kicking things out of his way, ringing bells and snapping at the servants. What was Fenella doing? Could it be possible that she was taking him at his word? Unable to contain himself any longer he sent for Miss Green. He got nothing out of the old lady except lamentations.
"Oh, dear, oh dear, what is the world coming to?"
At length, with an air of authority, he went up to Fenella's bedroom, and found her on her knees before an open trunk into which she was packing her clothes.
"Fenella," he said, "this is nonsense. It cannot be."
"I'm afraid it must be, father."
"Look here, girl, when a man's angry he doesn't always mean what he says. I never meant you were to go."
"It's better that I should, father."
The Governor struggled hard with his pride and said,
"Listen. Don't make me ridiculous in the eyes of the whole island, Fenella. I may not have acted wisely in relation to Stowell and the advice I gave him—I see that now. But if so perhaps it was because I was thinking less of the public service than of you. If you were a father you would understand that. But you cannot wish to leave me. You are my only child. I am your father, remember. What, after all, is this man to you?"
Fenella leaned back on her heels and her eyelids quivered for a moment. Then she said,