CHAPTER XVI.
FAREWELL.
he carriage was at the door, and they stood face to face, the young man and the maiden, in the little office up-stairs, to say farewell.
'I am quite ready, Walter,' Gladys said in a still, quiet voice. 'I am going away.'
'Are you? Well, good-bye.'
He held out his hand. His face was pale, but his mouth was set like iron, and these apparently indifferent words seemed to force themselves from between his teeth. Sign of emotion or sorrow he exhibited none, but the maiden, who understood and who loved him,—yes, who loved him,—was not in the least deceived.
'Have you nothing else to say than that, Walter? It is very little when I am going away,' she said wistfully.