When Katherine went back, in the warm dressing-gown which was so comfortable, wrapping her round like a friend, to her father’s room, she found the old man in bed, very white and tremulous after his passion, but quiet, though his lips still moved and his cruel little red eyes shone. Katherine had never known before that they were cruel eyes, but the impression came upon her now with a force that made her shiver; they were like the eyes of a wild creature, small and impotent, which would fain have killed but could not--with a red glare in them, unwinking, fixed, full of malice and fury. The doctor explained to her, standing by the fireplace, what he had done; while Katherine, listening, saw across the room those fiery small eyes watching the conversation as if they could read what it was in her face. She could not take her own eyes away, nor refuse to be investigated by that virulent look. “I have given him a strong composing draught. He’ll go to sleep presently, and the longer he sleeps the better. He has got his man with him, which is the best thing for him; and now about you, Miss Katherine.” He took her hand with that easy familiarity of the medical man which his science authorises, and in which there is often as much kindness as science. “What am I to do for you?” “Oh, nothing, doctor, unless you can suggest something. Oh, doctor, it is of no use trying to conceal it from you--my sister is gone!” She melted suddenly, not expecting them at all, thinking herself incapable of them--into tears. “I know, I know,” he said. “It is a great shock for you, it is very painful; but if, as I hear, he was violently against the marriage, and she was violently determined on it, was not something of the kind to be expected? You know your sister was very much accustomed to her own way.” “Oh, doctor, how can you say that!--as if you took it for granted--as if it was not the most terrible thing that could happen! Eloped, only imagine it! Stella! in her ball dress, and with that man!” “I hope there is nothing very bad about the man,” said the doctor with hesitation. “And how are we to get her back? The ship sails to-morrow. If she is once carried away in the ship, she will never, never---- Oh, doctor, can I go? who can go? What can we do? Do tell me something, or I will go out of my senses,” she cried. “Is there another room where we can talk? I think he is going to sleep,” said the doctor.