She was still considering ways and means of doing this when the door opened and revealed the surprised and angry form of her father and behind it the pallid countenance of Mr.Wilks.

For a moment anger deprived the captain of utterance.
"Who----" he stammered.

"What----" "What a long time you've been, father," said Miss Nugent, in a reproving voice.

"I began to be afraid you were never going." "You come home with me," said the captain, recovering.
The command was given in his most imperious manner, and his daughter dropped her muff in some resentment as she rose, in order to let him have the pleasure of seeing Mr.Hardy pick it up.

It rolled, however, in his direction, and he stooped for it just as Hardy darted forward.