"He has called, of course?"
"Yes. I have not been at home to him."
"Then—the thing is over."
"Read this!" She drew a letter from the bosom of her dress and handed it to him. She watched him narrowly as he read it, but his expression of grave concern did not alter.
"Are you alone in town?" he asked, when he had read it through.
"My father and most of the servants are at Hindhead. I should have gone with them on Saturday, but I waited because——Oh! I just waited——"
"Do you want this back?" said Vernon, still holding the letter between his fingers.
"Burn it, please. No, wait a minute! Tear me off the signature first. I want that."
She pressed the little shred of paper against her lips.
"Oh! I love him so, I love him so," she moaned.