Magdalen had returned to the house, a little vexed; her interview with Frank having been interrupted by a messenger from Mr.Clare, sent to summon the son into the father's presence.

Although it had been agreed at the private interview between Mr.Vanstone and Mr.Clare that the questions discussed that morning should not be communicated to the children until the year of probation was at an end---and although under these circumstances Mr.Clare had nothing to tell Frank which Magdalen could not communicate to him much more agreeably--the philosopher was not the less resolved on personally informing his son of the parental concession which rescued him from Chinese exile.

The result was a sudden summons to the cottage, which startled Magdalen, but which did not appear to take Frank by surprise.

His filial experience penetrated the mystery of Mr.
Clare's motives easily enough.

"When my father's in spirits," he said, sulkily, "he likes to bully me about my good luck.