He was about to say more, but the words seemed to stick in his throat, and Anstice began to talk rather nervously about the children.
Then they reached the station, and there was the usual bustle before the train went off. At the last moment, Justin made Anstice get into the first-class compartment with him where he was the only passenger.
"I won't say good-bye in public," he said. Then he put his arm round her and kissed her warmly. "Don't tell me this is not necessary according to our compact," he said; "you are my wife, and I'm inclined to let that agreement of ours go hang! Anstice, tell me, shall we make a fresh start when I come home again?"
Anstice looked at him and smiled, but her eyes were misty and Justin's keen gaze noted it.
"Shall we wait and see?" she said.
And with this, he had to be content.
He was gone, and Anstice, driving home, was conscious that her sun was dimmed, that the future, even amongst her beloved Fells, looked dreary and forlorn.
She went over to see Miss Maybrick a day or two later, and found her rather desolate in her old home. She welcomed her gladly.
"I am having it repaired and restored," she told Anstice as she took her over the newly decorated rooms; "but I am the last of my family, and I ask myself why I am spending so much money upon it! It will only be sold at my death to some Liverpool or Manchester merchant. Nobody will care for our old family treasures. I am beginning to like the Book of Ecclesiastes. It does seem to echo some of my thoughts. What is the good of anything in the world? Nothing will last."
"Love lasts," said Anstice thoughtfully.