His attitude was inexplicable to her. That she had not had even a word from him while she was at Taloona perplexed her, for it did not occur to her to question whether he had received the message she left with Bessie for him. Yet there were several reasons which might account for that omission. But his failure either to see or to communicate with her after her return to Waroona was entirely another matter.
When the third day came without a sign or word from him she took the bull by the horns and sent a note asking him to see her that evening.
She was waiting for him in her sitting-room when she heard him come to the door, heard him ask Bessie if she were at home, heard him approach the room. As he opened the door she rose to greet him. He stopped on the threshold.
"I received your note—you wish to see me?" he said stiffly.
"Fred!" she exclaimed, looking at him in amazement. "Why, what has happened? Why do you speak so? What is it?"
He remained where he was, silent.
"Don't you wish to see me?" she asked, still regarding him with a look of wondering amazement. "Has anything happened? Is that the reason you have never been to see me since I came back—why you never sent a word to me at Taloona? Have they—have they found out anything more about Charlie?"
He closed the door and walked across to the table by the side of which she was standing.
"Mrs. Eustace," he began, but before he could say more she interrupted him.
"You have something unpleasant to say. What is it? At least be frank. Whatever it is I am prepared to hear it."