'Yes, once—from New York. That is nearly two months ago.'
'I wish you hadn't been so quick about it, child. I felt from the commencement that it was a risky thing, your knowing so very little about him!'
'I know him well enough to be able to trust him,' I said quietly.
She looked at me and smiled. 'Then you are not anxious, at all events?'
'Yes, I am anxious,' I replied, 'for I do not understand his silence. He must be ill, or something must have happened to him; but other people do not think so, and their insinuations and remarks about it are almost more than I can bear.'
Miss Rayner was silent. I added impulsively, 'I had more than once thought of writing to you, and asking you to have me for a little. I felt it would be such a relief to get away from all the talk. This was before I knew you were ill, of course.'
'And why did you not?'
'I thought it would be rather selfish of me. Now Constance is married, Nelly seems to cling more to me, and there is my work in the village. It is rather cowardly to run away from one's duties if the way is not smooth, don't you think so?'
Miss Rayner did not answer, only said with a sigh a moment after, 'I hope he will not disappoint you.'