"I meant it to be, but he doesn't like talk that leads anywhere in particular."
"No, he doesn't," said Adela, with a slight smile.
The Baron sat silent for a moment, then he said,
"May I talk to you, Miss Ferrars?" and he looked at her inquiringly.
"Why, of course," she answered. "Is it about yourself, Baron? You're not worse, are you?"
He took no notice of her question, but pointed towards the cliff.
"What is happening up there?" he asked.
Adela started. She had not realised that he meant to talk on that subject.
He detected her shrinking and hastened to defend himself.
"Or are we to say nothing?" he asked. "Nothing? When we all see! Don't you see? Doesn't Miss Valentine see? Is she so sad for nothing? Oh, don't shake your head. And the other—this Mrs. Dennison? Am I to go on?"