"I merely came to say, Miss Dinwiddie, that there is no longer any restraint upon your movements. You are at liberty to go where you please. Your mother, I learn, has already anticipated the permission for herself. You may say to her, that, in her case also, the prohibition is removed. I will bid you a very good morning."
He bowed, and had almost reached the door before Barbara could recover her composure sufficiently to say,—
"Sir,—Captain Penrose,—I beg you not to leave me so abruptly. Pray be seated."
The Captain, arch-hypocrite that he was, looked at the clock as if he were closely pushed for time, and replied,—
"My official duties, Miss Dinwiddie, are so pressing—so"——
"But I've something particular to say to you," said Barbara, grown desperate.
"Indeed! Then I'm at your service."
Barbara pointed to an arm-chair; but the Captain wheeled it up to her, and at the same time pushed along an ottoman for himself. As soon as the lady was seated, he, too, sat.
There was a pause, and rather a long one.
"Now, Miss Dinwiddie, I shall be happy to hear your communication."