'What!' cried the vicar aghast; 'under the eyes of Mr. Knight,
too?'
'No; when I found I cared most for Mr. Knight, I obeyed you.'
'You were very kind, I'm sure. When did you begin to like Mr.
Knight?'
'I don't see that that is a pertinent question, papa; the telegram
was from the shipping agent, and was not sent at my request. It
announced the arrival of the vessel bringing him home.'
'Home! What, is he here?'
'Yes; in the village, I believe.'
'Has he tried to see you?'
'Only by fair means. But don't, papa, question me so! It is
torture.'
'I will only say one word more,' he replied. 'Have you met him?'
'I have not. I can assure you that at the present moment there is
no more of an understanding between me and the young man you so
much disliked than between him and you. You told me to forget
him; and I have forgotten him.'
'Oh, well; though you did not obey me in the beginning, you are a
good girl, Elfride, in obeying me at last.'
'Don't call me "good," papa,' she said bitterly; 'you don't know--
and the less said about some things the better. Remember, Mr.
Knight knows nothing about the other. Oh, how wrong it all is! I
don't know what I am coming to.'
'As matters stand, I should be inclined to tell him; or, at any
rate, I should not alarm myself about his knowing. He found out
the other day that this was the parish young Smith's father lives
in--what puts you in such a flurry?'
'I can't say; but promise--pray don't let him know! It would be my
ruin!'
'Pooh, child.
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