assuring glance at her lover.

Her departure was the signal for that issue between the two remaining
parties for which each was preparing in his own fashion. Ralph had not
beheld the dumb show, in which Edith was dismissed, without a rising
impulse of choler. The manner of the thing had been particularly
offensive to him. But the father of Edith, whatever his offence, had
suddenly risen into new consideration in the young man's mind, from the
moment that he fully comprehended his feelings for the daughter. He was
accordingly, somewhat disposed to temporize, though there was still a
lurking desire in his mind, to demand an explanation of those
supercilious glances which had so offended him.

But the meditations of neither party consumed one twentieth part of the
time that we have taken in hinting what they were. With the departure of
Edith, and the closing of the door after her, Colonel Colleton, with all
his storms, approached to the attack. The expression of scorn upon his
face had given way to one of anger wholly. His glance seemed meant to
penetrate the bosom of the youth with a mortal stab--it was hate, rather
than anger, that he looked. Yet it was evident that he made an effort to
subdue his wrath--its full utterance at least--but he could not chase
the terrible cloud from his haughty brow.

The youth, getting chafed beneath his gaze, returned him look for look,
and his brows grew dark and lowering also; and, for anger, they gave
back defiance. This silent, but expressive dialogue, was the work of a
single moment of time. The uncle broke the silence.

"What am I to understand from this, young man?"