"The time will come, darling," he answered.
"God grant it. You have been so changed lately, Clarry. I have thought that you had some terrible secret on your mind."
"Oh, no."
"But tell me, will you not, what influence that man has over you?"
"What man?"
"Mr. Smith, he who was here with you. What were you talking about, and why has he kept you away from your work?"
"Little women should not ask questions," he replied.
With a deep-drawn sigh, Elise turned away to hide her tears, which flowed afresh, and Clarence Holt went out.
She felt that there was some awful secret which he kept concealed from her.
The brief happiness she had experienced was short-lived, and the heavy sensation which had oppressed her heart clung round it once more.