Godwin kept silence; his face had darkened, and he seated himself with sullen weariness.
'Tell me what you've been doing,' resumed Moxey. 'Why haven't I heard from you?'
'I should have come in a day or two. I thought you were probably out of town.'
'Her husband is ill,' said the other, by way of reply. He leaned forward with his arms upon the table, and gazed at Godwin with eyes of peculiar brightness.
'Ill, is he?' returned Godwin, with slow interest. 'In the same way as before?'
'Yes, but much worse.'
Christian paused; and when he again spoke it was hurriedly, confusedly.
'How can I help getting excited about it? How can I behave decently? You're the only man I ever speak to on the subject, and no doubt I both weary and disgust you; but I must speak to some one. My nerves are strung beyond endurance; it's only by speaking that I can ease myself from the intolerable strain.'
'Have you seen her lately?'
'Yesterday, for a moment, in the street. It's ten months since the last meeting.'