“No,” said Muriel. “I think they’re cruelly and unreasonably bitter.”
“Then that leaves only one person with unshaken faith.” His eyes rested on the girl with deep gratitude and tenderness. “Miss Hurst, I think I may say it’s quite enough.”
She looked up fearlessly, with heightened color.
“We won’t pay each other compliments. Will you tell me why you went away?”
“Yes; I went to look for Cyril Jernyngham.”
Muriel made an abrupt movement and her eyes sparkled with relief which she did not try to hide.
“Oh,” she said, “that’s such a complete explanation; it answers everything! But why didn’t you tell people the reason you were going? You must have known that stealing away, as you did, would count against you!”
“I told Miss Jernyngham.”
“Gertrude knew?” Muriel started. Then her face hardened. “After all, that doesn’t matter; there are much more important things. You didn’t find Cyril?”
“I followed him across three provinces and lost him in the end.”