"Then they have not told you?"
"No one has told me anything. I have scarcely heard his name mentioned. It has seemed strange—sometimes."
Nigel was silent, and she cast an anxious glance.
"Is something wrong? Has anything happened? I have a right to know, surely. It will not hurt me now."
"You were not told before I left; but I fancied that by this time—I ought to have asked first—"
"Tell me now. What is it?"
"He was taken suddenly."
"Uncle Arthur dead?"
Nigel made a sound of assent, and Fulvia's eyes filled with tears. She was almost glad to have something about which she might lawfully show sorrow.
"Poor uncle! How sad! And not long ill, you say?"