idn't complete that thought,
yet only Gaston was in her mind as she hurried to the carriage. M. de
Brecourt hurried beside her; she wouldn't take his arm. But he opened
the door for her and as she got in she heard him murmur in the strangest
and most unexpected manner: "You're charming, mademoiselle--charming,
charming!"

XII

Her absence had not been long and when she re-entered the familiar salon
at the hotel she found her father and sister sitting there together
as if they had timed her by their watches, a prey, both of them, to
curiosity and suspense. Mr. Dosson however gave no sign of impatience;
he only looked at her in silence through the smoke of his cigar--he
profaned the red satin splendour with perpetual fumes--as she burst into
the room. An irruption she made of her desired reappearance; she rushed
to one of the tables, flinging down her muff and gloves, while Delia,
who had sprung up as she came in, caught her closely and glared into her
face with a "Francie Dosson, what HAVE you been through?" Francie said
nothing at first, only shutting her eyes and letting her sister do what
she would with her. "She has been crying, poppa--she HAS," Delia almost
shouted, pulling her down upon a sofa and fairly shaking her as she
continued. "Will you please tell? I've been perfectly wild! Yes you
have, you dreadful--!" the elder girl insisted, kissing her on the eyes.
They opened at this compassionate pressure and Francie rested their
troubled light on her father, who had now risen to his feet and stood
with his back to the fire.

"Why, chicken," said Mr. Dosson, "you look as if you had had quite a
worry."

"I told you I should--I told you, I told you!" Francie broke out with a
trembling voice. "And now it's come!"

"You don't mean to say you've DONE anything?" cried Delia, very white.

"It's all over, it's all over!" With which Francie's face braved denial.

"Are you crazy, Francie?" Delia demanded. "I'm sure you look as if you
were."

"Ain't you going to be married, childie?" asked Mr. Dosson all
considerately, but coming nearer to her.

Francie sprang up, releasing herself from her sister, and threw her
arms round him. "Will you take me away, poppa? will you take me right
straight away?"

"Of course I will, my precious. I'll take you anywhere. I don't want
anything--it wasn't MY idea!" And Mr. Dosson and Delia looked at each
other while the girl pressed her face upon his shoulder.

"I never heard s