His door was open, and I--I--" "Went in!" "Yes, papa," very humbly.
"Did you see Mr.Richards ?" "I saw some one, tall and slight, come up stairs and go in, but I did not see his face." "And that is all!" "Yes, papa." Once more he began pacing backward and forward, his face very grave, but not so stern.

Rose watched him askance, nervous and uncomfortable.
"My daughter," he said at last, "you have done very wrong, and grieved me more than I can say.

This is a serious matter--more serious by far than you imagine.

You have discovered, probably, that other reasons than illness confine Mr.Richards to his rooms." "Yes, papa." "Mr.Richards is not an invalid--at least not now--although he was ill when he came here.

But the reasons that keep him a prisoner in this house are so very grave that I dare not confide them to you.