It was most high-handed,
sir!"
The portieres fell again, and he disappeared.
Finally, after another interval, Carroll returned. She went
immediately to the gas-fixture, which she lit. Orde then saw that
she was sobbing violently. She came to him, and for a moment hid
her face against his breast. He patted her hair, waiting for her to
speak. After a little she controlled herself.
"How was it?" asked Orde, then.
She shivered.
"I never knew people could be so cruel," she complained in almost a
bewildered manner. "Jack, we must go to-night. She--she has
ordered me out of the house, and says she never wants to see my face
again." She broke down for a second. "Oh, Jack! she can't mean
that. I've always been a good daughter to her. And she's very
bitter against Gerald. Oh! I told her it wasn't his fault, but she
won't listen. She sent for that odious Mr. Merritt--her rector, you
know--and he supported her. I believe he's angry because we did not
go to him. Could you believe such a thing! And she's shut herself
up in her air of high virtue, and underneath it she's, oh, so
angry!"
"Well, it's natural she should be upset," comforted Orde. "Don't
think too much of what she does now.
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