"You say you don't care for me enough, and you say I don't care for you properly, and we won't argue any more about either matter for the moment." He had flung back his head from the hand that had shaded his eyes; his elbow remained on the chimney-piece, but now he was standing erect. "There is something else," said Lord Manister, "that has prevented you from coming to a decision."
"There is certainly one thing that has had something to do with it."
"May I ask what it is?"
"Certainly, Lord Manister. I am going back to Australia."
"Soon?" This was after a pause, during which their eyes had not met.
"Sooner than was intended."
"Is it—is it for any special reason that—that you have kept from me?"
He was agitated by a sudden thought, which she read. She shook her head reassuringly.
"No, it is not to get married, nor yet engaged."
"Then there is no one out there?"