‘I am glad. How did it occur?’
‘It was a fall.’ He should have no good story wherewith to regale his friends.
‘Going on well, I trust? Chancing to be at Dublin, I heard by accident you were here, and fearing that there might be a difficulty, I ran down in the hope of being of service to you.’
‘Thank you,’ in the least thankful of tones.
‘Is there nothing I can do for you?’
‘Thank you, nothing.’
‘Could I not obtain some advice for Miss Charteris?’
‘Thank you, she wishes for none.’
‘I am sure’—he spoke eagerly—‘that in some way I could be of use to you. I shall remain at hand. I cannot bear that you should be alone in this remote place.’
‘Thank you, we will not put you to inconvenience. We intended to be alone.’