'Something has happened, I think.'
'Yes. I should like to tell you, Sylvia, but'——
'But'——
'I must tell you! I can't keep it in my own mind, and you are the only one'——
Sylvia was surprised at the agitation which suddenly revealed itself in her companion's look and voice. She became serious, her eyes brightening with intellectual curiosity. Feminine expressions of sympathy were not to be expected from Miss Moorhouse; far more reassuring to Sidwell was the kind attentiveness with which her friend bent forward.
'That letter father handed me to-day was from Mr. Peak.'
'You hear from him?'
'This is the third time—since he went away. At our last meeting'—her voice dropped—'I pledged my faith to him.—Not absolutely. The future was too uncertain'——
The gleam in Sylvia's eyes grew more vivid. She was profoundly interested, and did not speak when Sidwell's voice failed.
'You never suspected this?' asked the latter, in a few moments.