She must take up her burden of obligation again in order that it might be mutual.

Then she would have the right to beg Elfrida to stop playing fast and loose with her father, to act decisively.

If Elfrida only knew, only realized, the difference it made, and how little right she had to control, at her whim, the happiness of any human being -- and Janet brought a strong hand to bear upon her indignation, for she had resolved to go; and to go that night.
Lawrence-Cardiff bade his daughter an early, good-night after their unusually pleasant dinner.

"Do you think you can do it ?" he asked her before he went Janet started at the question, for they had not mentioned Elfrida again, even remotely.
"I think I can, daddy," she answered him gravely, and they separated.

She looked at her watch; by half-past nine she could be in Essex Court.
Yes, Miss Bell was in, Miss Cardiff could go straight up, Mrs.Jordan informed her, and she mounted the last flight of stairs with a beating heart.