There was an ominous pause. He took Evelyn's cold hand, and the stern set of his lips relaxed.
"My husband!" she said faintly.
"Then he has not come home yet?"
"No. O tell me—"
"I think you had better sit down. You are trembling," said Mr. Trevelyan.
He drew Evelyn's hand within his arm, and led her back to the chair she had left. Without such help she could hardly have reached it. "Your husband has been to the Ricketts' cottage."
"He left us at about four o'clock, and he meant to be back before six," explained Jean.
"Yes: I called to see the sick man, and General Villiers had been there before me."
"How long before?" Evelyn asked.
"He started to come home at five o'clock—"