She hardly knew whether to be glad or sorry that the Grinsteads proved to be out of town; but at any rate she might be grateful to Lady Rotherwood for preventing a vain expedition—–­a call on another old friend, Mrs. Crayon, the Marianne Weston of early youth, and now a widow, as she too was out.  Then followed some shopping that the parents wanted to do together, but at the door of the stores Lady Merrifield said—–­

’I have a host of things to get here for the two brides.  Suppose, papa, that you walk home with Gillian across the Park.  It will suit you better than this fearful list.’

Lady Merrifield only thought of letting father and daughter renew their acquaintance, and though she saw that Gillian was in an agony to speak about something, did not guess what an ordeal the girl felt it to have to begin with the father, unseen for four years, and whose searching eyes and grave politeness gave a sense of austerity, so that trepidation was spoiling all the elation at having a father, and such a father, to walk with.

‘Well, Gillian,’ he said, ’we have a great deal of lee way to make up.  I want to hear of poor White’s children.  I am glad you have had the opportunity of showing them some kindness.’

‘Oh, papa! it is so dreadful!  If you would read this letter.’

‘I cannot do so here,’ said Sir Jasper, who could not well make trial of his new spectacles in Great George Street.  What is dreadful?’

’This accusation.  Poor Alexis!  Oh! you don’t know.  The accident and all—–­our fault—–­mine really,’ gasped Gillian.

‘I am not likely to know at this rate,’ said Sir Jasper.  ’I hope you have not caught the infection of incoherency from Lord Rotherwood.  Do you mean his accident?’

’Yes; they have turned them both off, and now they have gone and put Alexis in prison.’

‘For the accident?  I thought it was a fall of rock.’

’Oh no—–­I mean yes—–­it wasn’t for that; but it came of that, and Fergus and I were at the bottom of it,’ said Gillian, in such confusion that her words seemed to tumble out without her own control.

‘How did you escape with your lives?’

Was he misunderstanding her on purpose, or giving a lesson on slipslop at such a provoking moment?  Perhaps he was really only patient with the daughter who must have seemed to him half-foolish, but she was forced to collect her senses and say—–­

’I only meant that we were the real cause.  Fergus is wild about geology, and took away a stone that was put to show where the cliff was unsafe.  He showed the stone to Alexis White, who did not know where it came from and let him have it, and that was the way Cousin Rotherwood came to tread on the edge of the precipice.’

‘What had you to do with it?’

‘I—–­oh!  I had disappointed Alexis about the lessons,’ said Gillian, blushing a little;’ and he was out of spirits, and did not mind what he was about.’