magdalen

Vanstone started, and looked eagerly at her husband the moment Magdalen spoke those words.

Her father, with the letter in his hand, waited a little before he opened it; her mother looking at him, the while, with an eager, expectant attention which attracted Miss Garth's notice, and Norah's, as well as Magdalen's.

Norah and Magdalen, watching anxiously, saw nothing but the change that passed over their father.

Magdalen, in her capacity of spoiled child, was, as usual, the first to break the silence.

"I'm sure there must be something," persisted Magdalen. "I'm sure there is bad news, papa, in that American letter."

It was the first direct rebuff that Magdalen had ever received from her father.

"What does papa mean by being cross with Me?" exclaimed Magdalen, chafing under a sense of her own injuries.

"Right?" repeated Magdalen. "I have no secrets from papa -- what business has papa to have secrets from me!

The three ladies entered the morning-room; and Magdalen acknowledged Miss Garth's reproof by banging the door.

Magdalen caught her mother by the arm in speechless astonishment.

Don't hold me, Magdalen. This is a sudden necessity -- I have a great deal to do to-day -- many things to set in order before tomorrow.

Even Magdalen saw that her mother was not to be coaxed into hearing or answering any more questions.

With the reckless curiosity of her age and character, Magdalen, in defiance of Miss Garth's prohibition and her sister's remonstrances, determined to go to the, study and look for her father there.

Magdalen, who was accustomed to pass the morning at the piano, wandered restlessly about the staircases and passages, and in and out of doors when there were glimpses of fine weather.