She made no excuse or explanation.
Mrs.Anderton plunged into important matters at once.
"Your father, Mr.Anderton"-- how that word "father" jarred upon Halcyone's sensitive ears!--"wished me to come and see you, dear, and hopes you will return with me to-morrow to London, for a little visit to us, that you may make the acquaintance of your brother and sisters." Halcyone had already made up her mind what to do, before she had left her room.

She would agree to anything they suggested in order to have no obstacles put in her way--not admitting for a moment that these people had any authority over her.

Then, if in the morning she received a letter from her Beloved, she would follow its instructions implicitly.
Always having at hand her certain mode of disappearance, she could slip away, and if it seemed necessary, just leave them to think what they pleased.

Priscilla would be warned to allay at once the anxiety of her aunts, and for the Andertons she was far too desperate to care what they might feel.
"Thank you; it is very good of you," she said as graciously as she could.

"My old nurse has told me of your kind invitation, and is already beginning the preparations.