of it except himself. He hardly spoke another word that evening till
the brougham was announced; and his wife had observed his silence.
When they were seated in the carriage, he together with his wife and
Nora Rowley, he immediately asked a question about Sir Marmaduke.
'Emily,' he said, 'is there any truth in a report I hear that your
father is coming home?' No answer was made, and for a moment or
two there was silence. 'You must have heard of it, then?' he said.
'Perhaps you can tell me, Nora, as Emily will not reply. Have you
heard anything of your father's coming?'

'Yes; I have heard of it,' said Nora slowly.

'And why have I not been told?'

'It was to be kept a secret,' said Mrs Trevelyan boldly.

'A secret from me; and everybody else knows it! And why was it to
be a secret?'

'Colonel Osborne did not wish that it should be known,' said Mrs
Trevelyan.

'And what has Colonel Osborne to do between you and your father
in any matter with which I may not be made acquainted? I will have
nothing more between you and Colonel Osborne. You shall not see
Colonel Osborne. Do you hear me?'

'Yes, I hear you, Louis.'

'And do you mean to obey me? By G--, you shall obey me. Remember