He went rapidly to the door as if he meant to call back the rejected lover.
“Papa, what are you doing?” cried Winnie, distracted. “He’s gone!”
The Canon stopped and came back grimly.
“I suppose you’re joking, Winnie? I’m quite bewildered with all this humour.”
“I don’t love him, father,” she said, with tearful eyes.
Canon Spratte, quite unable to comprehend, stared at her helplessly.
“The girl’s mad,” he cried, looking at Lady Sophia.
But Winnie felt it was no longer possible to hold back the truth. She braced herself for the contest and looked firmly into her father’s eyes.
“I’m already engaged to be married, papa.”
“You? And to whom, pray?”