"It must be so, dear," she said in a low tremulous whisper. "Do not ask me why, but believe it. It is as he has said, inevitable. Every word from you in the shape of a question will add to my mis—will only pain me. Do not speak, dear, for my sake!"
He looked from one to the other, then he took her hand with a curious expression in his face.
"I will not ask," he said. "I will be silent for your sake."
She pressed his hand and let it drop.
"Come!" said Jasper with a smile, "that is the right way to take it, my dear Frank. Now let me say a word for myself, it is this, that you do not possess a truer friend and one more willing and anxious to serve you than Jasper Adelstone. Is that not so?" and he looked at Stella.
"Yes," she breathed.
Frank stood with his eyes cast down; he raised them for a moment and looked Jasper full in the face, then lowered them again.
"And now," said Jasper, with a smile and in a lighter voice, "you must take some refreshment," and he went to the cupboard and brought out some wine. Frank turned away, but Stella, nerving and forcing herself, took the glass he extended to her and put the edge to her lips.
Jasper seemed satisfied, though he saw that she had not touched a drop.
"Let me see," he said, taking out his watch, "there is a train back in half an hour. Shall we catch that?"