“You would not have hidden this letter in terror; will you show the other?”

“You are beginning again,” she said reproachfully.

“You need not trouble. I was only jesting. But for God’s sake do not look on me as a despôt or a spy; it was mere curiosity. God be with you and your secrets.”

“I have no secrets,” she returned drily as he rose to go.

“Do you know that I am soon leaving?” he asked suddenly.

“I heard so; is it true?”

“Why do you doubt?”

She dropped her eyes and said nothing.

“You will be glad for me to go?”

“Yes,” she answered in a whisper.