"Yes?" he said, with suppressed eagerness and anxiety. "What is it? I—I am rather pressed for time." He glanced at his watch. "Won't she see me? If you would go up and ask her. I shan't detain her more than a minute."
"No; she cannot see you," said Nell. "I am to ask you to go—where you are going—without seeing her."
He looked at her steadily, gnawing his lip softly.
"I—I don't understand," he said, still trying to smile. "She—told you that I am going—abroad?"
Nell inclined her head gravely.
"Yes? But didn't she tell you that—that I must see her before I go? That—that it is important?"
"She cannot see you," said Nell, her heart beating fast. "She wishes you to go, and—and to remain abroad——"
His face crimsoned, then went pale.
"You know—she has told you why—why I have come this morning?" he said, in a low voice.
"Yes, I know," assented Nell, the shame, for him, dyeing her face.