'C'est probable. C'est à espérer…. Enfin-mais toi, mon enfant?'
'And where is Madame Frabelle?' asked Landi.
Edith looked at the postmark.
'Apparently she's at Liverpool, of all places; but she may be going somewhere else. I haven't got her address. She says she'll write.'
'C'est ça…. When does Aylmer return to the front?'
'He goes before the Board tomorrow and will know then.'
That evening, when Bruce came in, Edith was struck by his paleness and depression; and she began to think Madame Frabelle was right; he must be really ill. Then, if he was, could she, later, be so cruel as to leave him? She was in doubt again….
'Very bad news in the evening papers,' he said.
'Is it so bad?'
'Edith,' said Bruce, rather solemnly, without listening, 'I want to speak to you after dinner. I have something serious to say to you'.