During his rapid walk home he had made up his mind as to what he would do.

He would not be severe to his niece.

He would simply ask her one question.
'My dear,' he said, striving to be calm, but telling her by his countenance as plainly as words could have done all that had passed between him and his son,--'Marie, my dear, I take it for--granted--there is nothing to--to--to interrupt our plans.' 'In what way, uncle ?' she asked, merely wanting to gain a moment for thought.
'In any way.

In no way.

Just say that there is nothing wrong, and that will be sufficient.' She stood silent, not having a word to say to him.