Scarcely a moment elapsed before she entered the room.
"Stubbs said you wanted to see me," she said in a voice that shook with anxiety.
Brett came forward to meet her, and standing quite close to her, looked into her eyes.
"Something very strange has happened," he said, with a little hesitation. "Something—something very, very good—can you bear the shock of a great happiness, dear?"
"Happiness," she repeated. "What is it? Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, suddenly understanding. "Oh! thank God, I see it in your eyes! It is not true? He is not here?—oh, Harry!"
"Yes. That is it. The whole story was only a fabrication. He is not here. You see I cannot let you wait a moment for the good news. It is so good. So much better even than I have told you."
"Better!" she cried as the colour rose to her pale cheeks. "What could be better? Oh, it is life, it is freedom—it is almost more than I can bear after this dreadful day!"
"But you must bear more," said Brett, smiling.
"More pain?" she asked with a little start. "Something else?"
"No. More happiness."