"I want you to go to him—to Mr. North, I mean. I want you to tell him how sorry you are; I want him to know—I—" she paused uncertainly.
Perhaps for the first time in her life she was not quite sure of her father's sympathy. She dreaded his man's judgment in this crisis.
"Now seriously, Elizabeth, don't you think I'd better keep away from him? I can do nothing—"
"Oh, how cowardly that would be!" she cried. "How cowardly!"
The old general winced at this. He was far from being a coward, but appearances had their value in his eyes; and even, in its least serious aspect, young North's predicament was not pleasant to contemplate.
"But there is nothing I can do, Elizabeth; why should I become involved?" he urged.
"Then you must go to him from me!" she cried.
"Child—child; what are you saying!" cried the general.
"Either you must go to him, or I shall go!" she said with fine firmness.
Her father groaned.