“Why, he’s planted a lot of white hyacinths along with the purple ones in your poor mother’s favourite bed opposite the dressing-room window, when he knows very well that I never have any but purple ones there. She never had any but purple ones, and I never will. The scoundrel deserves to be well horsewhipped. I’ll discharge him on the spot I swear I will!” “I will tell him to come and see you,” said Jane, calmly. She knew of old that her father’s bark was worse than his bite, and that he had no more real intention of discharging Ridley than he had of flying to the moon. “And now, if you will just give orders to have the basket-carriage brought round, I shall be glad, dear. I feel wonderfully better to-day, and I think a drive would do me good.” “But would Dr. Davidson approve of your going out to-day, papa?” “Hang Dr. Davidson I’m not his slave, am I? I tell you that I feel very much better; and, to get out, if only for half an hour, will make me better still.” “Then you will let me go with you?” said Jane. “Nothing of the kind. I’ve a great deal to think about while I’m out, and I want to be alone. Besides, I’ve asked Bristow to stay to dinner, and you must do your best to entertain him.” “If you go out, papa, I shall go with you,” said Jane, in her straightforward, positive way. “Besides which, Briggs is ill to-day, and there’s nobody to drive you—unless you will let Mr. Bristow be your coachman for once, and then we shall all be together.” With some difficulty the Squire was induced to consent to this arrangement. It was evident that he would have preferred to go out alone, but that was just what Jane would by no means allow him to do. Her woman’s instinct told her that they were in the midst of a thunder-cloud, but where and when the lightning would strike she could not even guess. In any case, it seemed to her well that for some time to come her father should be left alone as little as possible.