to have her hair dressed by Patty.

"Her temper was always a little uncertain," said Patty sagely.
"I think father spoilt her by teaching her Greek and poetry and such
things."

"Greek! You don't tell me that Greek makes a person want to walk out
of a comfortable house at a moment's notice and leave my poor
darlings on the stream!"

"Oh, no," agreed Patty. "You will not allow it, of course?"

"Perhaps you'll tell me how to prevent it? In all my life I don't
remember being so much annoyed."

So Hetty had her way, packed a small bundle, and was ready at the
gate for the passing of the carrier's van which would set her down
within a mile of home. She had acted on an impulse, unreasoning, but
not to be resisted. She felt the crisis of her life approaching and
had urgent need, before it came on her, to make confession and
cleanse her soul. She knew she was hurrying towards a tempest; but,
whatever it might wreck, she panted for the clear sky beyond. In her
fever the van seemed to crawl and the miles to drag themselves out
interminably.

She was within a mile of her journey's end when a horseman met and
passed the van at a jog-trot. Hetty glanced after him, wrenched open
the door and sprang out upon the road with a cry--

"Father!"

Mr. Wesley heard her and turned his head; then reined up the filly
and came slowly back. The van was at a standstill, the driver
craning his head and staring aft in wholly ludicrous bewilderment.

"Dropped anything?" he asked, as Hetty ran to him. She thrust the
fare into his hand without answering and faced around again to meet
her father.

He came slowly, with set jaws. He offered no greeting.

"I was expecting this," he said. "Indeed, I was riding to Kelstein
to fetch you home."

"But--but why?" she stammered.

"Why?" A short savage laugh broke from him, almost like a dog's
bark; but he held his temper down. "Because I do not choose to have
a decent household infected by a daughter of mine. Because, if
sisters of yours must needs be exposed to the infection, it shall be
where I am present to watch them and control you. I have received a
letter--"

She stared at him dismayed, remembering the man Wright and his
threat.

"And upon that you judge me, without a hearing?" She let her arms
drop beside her.

"Will you deny it? Will you deny you have been in the habit of
meeting--no, I see you will not. Apparently Mrs. Grantham has
dismissed you."

"Sir, Mrs