Darcy seemed startled. Hugo's strange outburst was indeed startling.
'Oh, nothing!' Hugo muttered. 'Nothing.' He walked to the window, which looked out on Blair Street. The first heralds of the dawn were in the eastern sky, and the moon overhead was paling. 'It will be daylight in a minute,' he said. 'I must go. Come with me first to the drawing-room, will you?'
And they passed together along the passage to the drawing-room, where the electric lamp was still keeping watch. Hugo stood by the side of the coffin.
'What is it?' Darcy quietly asked.
'Have you ever been in love?' Hugo questioned him.
'Yes,' said Darcy.
'Then I will tell you. You will understand. I must tell someone. I loved her.'
He touched the elm-wood gently, and hurried out of the room by the French window.
Four days later Mr. Senior Polycarp called on Hugo in his central office.