She was not in a mood for airy persiflage, as he soon discovered.
"Miss Castleton has gone up to town, Mr. Booth," she said rather lifelessly. "I have just taken her to the station. She caught the eight-thirty."
He was at once solicitous. "No bad news, I hope?" There was no thought in his mind that her absence was other than temporary.
"She is not coming back, Brandon." She had not addressed him as Brandon before.
He stared. "You—you mean—" The words died on his lips.
"She is not coming back," she repeated.
An accusing gleam leaped into his eyes.
"What has happened, Mrs. Wrandall?" he asked.
She was quick to perceive the change in his voice and manner.
"She prefers to live apart from me. That is all."