While she looked at it, some one came whistling up the stairs.

It was her father, and he stopped at sight of her.
"You here, Rose, my dear; I thought you had gone out riding with Kate." "Kate doesn't want me, papa," replied Rose, with a French shrug.

"She has company she likes better." "What, Sir Ronald! Nonsense, Rose! Kate is Sir Ronald's very good friend--nothing more." Rose gave another shrug.
"Perhaps so, papa.

It looks like flirting, but appearances are deceitful.

Papa!" "Yes, my dear." "I wish you would let me go back to Ottawa!" "To Ottawa! Why, you only left it the other day.