Margaret went down stairs and left Irene alone in her chamber, where she remained until nearly tea-time before joining her father.
Mr.Delancy did not altogether feel satisfied in his mind about this unheralded visit from his daughter, with whose wayward moods he was too familiar.

It might be all as she said, but there were intrusive misgivings that troubled him.
At tea-time she took her old place at the table in such an easy, natural way, and looked so pleased and happy, that her father was satisfied.

He asked about her husband, and she talked of him without reserve.
"What day is Hartley coming up ?" he inquired.
"I hope to see him on the day before Christmas," returned Irene.
There was a falling in her voice that, to the ears of Mr.Delancy, betrayed a feeling of doubt.
"He will not, surely, put it off later," said the father.
"I don't know," said Irene.

"He may be prevented from leaving early enough to reach here before Christmas morning.

If there should be a cold snap, and the river freeze up, it will make the journey difficult and attended with delay." "I think the winter has set in;" and Mr.Delancy turned his ear toward the window, against which the snow and hail were beating with violence.