"You will see me again," said he to her, and moved towards the door. But once more he faced me before he went, and looked very intently at me. Then he passed out, leaving us alone.
At his going Nell sighed for relief, stretched out her arms, and let them fall on the table in front of her; then she sprang up and ran to me, catching hold of my hands.
"And how goes all at pretty Hatchstead?" she asked.
I drew back, releasing my hands from hers, and I spoke to her stiffly.
"Madame," said I, "this is not Hatchstead, nor do you seem the lady whom I knew at Hatchstead."
"Indeed, you seem very like the gentleman I knew, and knew well, there," she retorted.
"And you, very unlike the lady."
"Nay, not so unlike as you think. But are you also going to preach to me?"
"Madame," said I in cold courtesy, "I have to thank you for a good remembrance of me, and for your kindness in doing me a service; I assure you I prize it none the less, because I may not accept it."
"You may not accept it?" she cried. "What? You may not accept the commission?"