"Your letters were plain enough, if we had chosen to pay any attention to them." Her father looked up apprehensively, deprecating defence of himself at the cost of family discord.

But he was powerless to prevent the gathering storm.

Mrs.Denyer gazed sternly at her recalcitrant daughter, and at length discharged upon the girl's head all the wrath with which this situation inspired her.

Barbara took her mother's side.
Zillah wept and sobbed words of reconciliation.

The unhappy cause of the tumult took refuge at the window, sunk in gloom.
However, there was no doubt about it this time; trunks must be packed, bills must be paid, indignities must be swallowed.