Julian drove back to Culmhayes through the dark lanes.
It was characteristic of him that he should observe, as he took his place opposite to his wife at the end of the dinner-table that evening:
"I took Miss Marchrose back in the car this evening. She came out of the College just as I was going past."
He was quite aware, without looking at her, of the exact angle to which Edna's eyebrows raised themselves.
"I thought she stayed at the College working till all hours, and then had to be escorted home by unfortunate Mark?"
"Apparently the procedure is not invariable."
Edna waited until the servants were out of the room, and then spoke again.
"Julian—about that girl—I couldn't leave it at that, you know. God knows how much I dislike any form of interference, but then it's for Mark Easter—I can never feel that Mark hasn't a very real claim on me."
"In the name of fortune, Edna, what are you talking about?"
"You mean," said Edna, fixing him with a coldly thoughtful eye, and perfectly aware that he meant nothing of the sort. "You mean that, with my ideals, all humanity has a claim on me. I do hold that it is so, and, as you know, I am always ready to give what I can, though it may not be silver or gold. I was rather struck by a curious little incident this morning, Julian, which illustrates my meaning. I think I must tell you."