“Has he business engagements in any quarter that you know of?”
“None now. He did hold an office in the Customs, but he does so no longer. It is possible—just possible—he might have called at Mr. Dunn's, but he could not have been detained there so late as this. And if he were—” She stopped, confused and embarrassed.
“As to that,” said he, catching at her difficulty with ready tact, “I could easily pretend it was my own anxiety that caused the visit. I could tell him it was likely I should soon see Jack again, and ask of him to let me be the bearer of some kind message to him.”
“Yes, yes,” muttered Bella, half vacantly; for he had only given to his words the meaning of a mere pretext.
“I think you may trust to me that I will manage the matter delicately. He shall never suspect that he has given any uneasiness by his absence.”
“But even this,” said she, eagerly, “condemns me to some hours longer of feverish misery. You cannot possibly go back to town and return here in less than two—perhaps three hours.”
“I 'll try and do it in half the time,” said Conway, rising, and taking his cap. “Where does Mr. Dunn live?”
“In Menion Square. I forget the number, but it does not matter; every one knows his house. It is on the north side.”
“You shall see me before—What o'clock is it now?”
“Half-past eight,” said she, shuddering, as she saw how late it was.