"How? In what words?"
"He called after me when I was in the carriage, 'Remember me to the Baron and to your sister.'"
"And that was all?"
"That was all."
Eugénie turned away. She wished to hide from her brother the bitter disappointment which was written in her face, but Conrad held her fast. He had her own beautiful dark eyes, but with him their expression was bolder, more full of vivacity. At this moment, however, as he bent over her, all his thoughtless gaiety had vanished, and given place to a most unaccustomed earnestness.
"You must have wounded him cruelly at some time, Eugénie, and in a way he cannot get over. I would so gladly have brought you a line or a word at parting, but it was not to be had from him. He would never talk about you, but each time I mentioned your name he went deadly pale and turned away, and then dragged in another subject by the ears, so as not to hear any more, just exactly as you do when I speak to you about him. By Jove! there must be a regular hatred between you two?"
Eugénie tore herself free from him.
"Leave me, Con, for Heaven's sake! leave me, I can bear it no longer."
A look almost of triumph passed over the young man's face, and there was a ring of repressed joy in voice.
"Well, I don't want to intrude upon your secrets. I must go now, or my father will be getting impatient, he is in such an awful temper to-day. I shall leave you alone now, Eugénie; there is that divorce petition to be signed, you know. It will be ready, no doubt, by the time we come home. Good-bye."