May offered her hand. Dymchurch just perceptibly pressed it, saluted with the gravest politeness, and walked away.
On the terrace before the house, he encountered Lashmar, who came up to him with a glowing countenance.
"I hoped I should find you here. Nothing could be better. Just a moment's talk."
Dyce had thrust out a hand, but as the other appeared not to see it, he drew it back again as naturally as he could. Dymchurch stood waiting in an attitude of cold civility.
"It's rather a delicate matter. Accident has obliged me to speak; otherwise, I shouldn't, of course, have troubled you with my private affairs. I wish to tell you that the engagement which once existed between Miss Bride and myself is at an end."
"I presumed so," was the reply, spoken with unmoved features.
"Also, that Miss Tomalin has for some days been aware of this state of things."
"I took it for granted."
"So that," Dyce continued, in a stumbling way, "you won't retain any disagreeable impression from this morning's incident? I am very glad indeed to have been able to see you at once. It puts an end to a natural uneasiness on both sides."
"I am obliged to you," said Dymchurch.