Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/77

 for the lineaments that were familiar to him. Something had changed her, had hardened her against him, in a moment. It seemed impossible that there should come such severance between them. John revolted against it, as against all the other natural laws that visited him harshly.

"What's come to you, my girl?" he said in a thick voice. "What's wrong between us, Clara? Haven't I always done my best for you? If I was the worst enemy you had, you couldn't look at me crueller."

"I think it's me that should ask what's come to you, father," she returned, with her former self-possession. "You treat me as if I was a baby.—I want to know what you're going to say about Mrs. Tubbs. I suppose mother's told you what she offers me?"

Sidney had not resumed his chair. Before Hewett could reply he said:

"I think I'll leave you to talk over this alone."

"No; stay where you are," said John