"Emily," he said, "is there any truth in a report I hear that your father is coming home ?" No answer was made, and for a moment or two there was silence.

"You must have heard of it, then," he said.

"Perhaps you can tell me, Nora, as Emily will not reply.

Have you heard anything of your father's coming ?" "Yes; I have heard of it," said Nora slowly.
"And why have I not been told ?" "It was to be kept a secret," said Mrs.Trevelyan boldly.
"A secret from me; and everybody else knows it! And why was it to be a secret ?" "Colonel Osborne did not wish that it should be known," said Mrs.
Trevelyan.
"And what has Colonel Osborne to do between you and your father in any matter with which I may not be made acquainted?
I will have nothing more between you and Colonel Osborne.

You shall not see Colonel Osborne.