Harry included Mina and Mr Neeld in one light nod, and walked briskly toward the gate, Iver and Janie accompanying him. Mina and Neeld were left together, and sat in silence some moments.
"It sounds as if she was dying," said Mina at last in a low voice.
"Yes, poor woman!"
"I saw her once lately. She was very beautiful, Mr Neeld."
"Yes, yes, to her own great trouble, poor thing!"
"You knew about——?"
"Oh, everybody knew, Madame Zabriska."
"Yes, and now she's dying!" She turned to him, looking him fairly in the face. "And Harry'll be Tristram of Blent," she said.
"Yes," said Neeld. "He'll be Tristram of Blent."
Both fell into silence again, looking absently at the sunshine playing among the trees. They were not to share their secret just yet. A link was missing between them still.