Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/236

 much he needed it; in fact, without it he did not now see how he could have got on in the same house with his daughter, alone.

He had reserved mentioning his good news to Leonard till the man asked for orders after opening the door for him to get out; then he told it and took Leonard's hand. Martin, who had opened the house door, heard the news and he offered his congratulations, too, and Hale gave him a handshake; so the master of the house, and the president of Tri-Lake Products and Material Corporation entered his home aglow and ready for his daughter. It let him down a little, but did not trouble him, when he learned she had been home an hour ago but had gone out. Then, on the table in his room, he found an envelope upon which she had written "Father" and which contained:

I have been waiting only for mother to go before leaving. Do not expect me back and do not bother about me; I know exactly what I am to do and have made all my arrangements.

Marjorie.

It frightened him and, even after the first shock, he could not argue himself out of his dread; it was too ominous and premeditated, that note. It explained too well her compliance, a week ago, with all his demands except that she accompany her mother, and it suggested to him—more, it warned him—that anything might come.

He crumpled it in his hand and strode into her room to find that, in so far as he could reckon her wardrobe, Marjorie had gone off taking with her only the suit she had worn that day and that too low-cut dress her mother had given her for the Lovells' dance. Underwear,