"No news at all, good or bad," answered Grantley, as he held out his hand. "Good-bye and good luck, Jeremy."
Jeremy took his hand and gripped it hard, emotion finding a vent that way. Grantley returned the pressure more moderately.
"Remember, under no circumstances, a word about it to Sibylla!" he said.
"I give you my honour."
"Good."
He released Jeremy's hand and turned away. He had much self-control, but he could not be sure of what was showing on his face.
Jeremy had his great good-fortune, but his joy was dashed. Grantley looked like a man whom heavy calamity finds unprepared.
"All the finer of him to sign the deed then and there," Jeremy muttered as he left the house. "Whatever has happened, he didn't forget his word to me."
But it had not been of Jeremy or of his word that Grantley had been thinking when he signed. His signature was a defiance of his wife and of his fate.