"But she will be here directly.

H'm! What on earth am I to say to her if I _don't_ ask him ?...
She will be here directly." They had reached Colonel Bellairs' study by now, and he sat down heavily in his old leather arm-chair.

Magdalen was standing on the hearthrug near him with the letter in her hand.

She held it over the fire, he nodded, and she dropped it in.
"Perhaps, Magdalen," said her father with dignity, "it would be just as well if I kept clear of the whole affair.

Women manage these little things best among themselves.