"Is there anything wrong ?" she said.

"He does not disapprove, does he ?" "Never mind; and do leave me now.

I never can make you understand that one is not always in a humour for joking." And so saying, he put her aside, and passed on.
Joking! That was indeed hard upon poor Emmeline, seeing that her thoughts were so full of him, that her heart beat so warmly for his promised bride.

But she said nothing, shrinking back abashed, and vanishing out of the way.

Could it be possible that her father should have refused to receive Lady Clara Desmond as his daughter-in-law?
He then betook himself to a private territory of his own, where he might be sure that he would remain undisturbed for some half-hour or so.