A room upstairs has been prepared for you.

You are not exactly in a state of confinement; but, until your studies are completed, I think you had better not interrupt them by going out." "A prisoner!" I exclaimed aghast.
"Prisoner is a hard word," answered the doctor.

"Let us say, a guest under surveillance." "Do you seriously mean that you intend to keep me shut up in this part of the house, at your will and pleasure ?" I inquired, my heart sinking lower and lower at every word I spoke.
"It is very spacious and airy," said the doctor; "as for the lower part of the house, you would find no company there, so you can't want to go to it." "No company!" I repeated faintly.
"No.

My daughter went away this morning for change of air and scene, accompanied by my housekeeper.

You look astonished, my dear sir--let me frankly explain myself.