I wrote it out, adding a stanza to the verses:—
I bowed my head before her,
And stood trembling in the light;
She dropped the heavy curtain,
And the house was full of night.
I then sought my friend’s chambers.
‘I was not aware you knew the Osbornes,’ I said. ‘I wonder you never told me, seeing Charley and you were such friends.’
‘I never saw one of them till last night. My sister and she knew each other some time ago, and have met again of late. What a lovely creature she is! But what became of you last night? You must have left before any one else.’
‘I didn’t feel well.’
‘You don’t look the thing.’
‘I confess meeting Miss Osborne rather upset me.’
‘It had the same effect on her. She was quite ill, my sister said, this morning. No wonder! Poor Charley! I always had a painful feeling that he would come to grief somehow.’
‘Let’s hope he’s come to something else by this time, Marston,’ I said.