He felt half afraid of her.

She did not speak of Edith, but remained cold, silent and absorbed.
Mrs.Dinneford gave no sign of what was in her heart for many weeks.
The feeling of distance and strangeness perceived by her husband went on increasing, until a vague feeling of mystery and fear began to oppress him.

Several times he had spoken of Edith, but his wife made no response, nor could he read in her veiled face the secret purposes she was hiding from him.
No wonder that Mr.Dinneford was greatly surprised and overjoyed, on coming home one day, to meet his daughter, to feel her arms about his neck, and to hold her tearful face on his bosom.
"And I'm not going away again, father dear," she said as she kissed him fondly.

"Mother has sent for me, and George is to come.

Oh, we shall be so happy, so happy!" And father and daughter cried together, like two happy children, in very excess of gladness.