Kitty had heard him come, and had longed--as she had never longed in the days when she was free to do as she liked--to go and superintend his meal, and hear all about his day.

But she knew what a to-do there would be if she did not stay where she was and do her lessons, and she had just lost herself again in the story of "Enid," when, to her surprise, she heard her father's footsteps coming along the passage and stopping at the door of the school-room.

She was even more surprised when, on opening the door, he said very quietly and gravely, "Kitty, will you come to me in my study at once?
I wish to speak to you." She had looked up with a smile, but the expression on her father's face caused her smile to die away, and left her perplexed and troubled.
"What was it?
Was Dan in trouble--or ill--or--or what had happened ?" It never occurred to her as she got up and hurried after her father to his room that the trouble might be of her causing.

When she reached the study she found Dr.Trenire standing by the table holding a letter which he was reading.

He looked up from it when she entered, and in answer to the alarmed questioning in her eyes, he, after hesitating a moment, put the letter into her hand.