Now hereupon Barnabas lifted a hand to his throat, and loosened his neckcloth.
"Why then," said he slowly, "you have—perhaps—met him hereabouts—before to-night?"
"Sir," she retorted, "you haven't answered me; why did he go so soon?"
"He was—forced to, madam."
"Forced to go,—without seeing me,—without one word! Oh, impossible!"
"I walked with him to the cross-roads, and saw him out of sight."
"But I—I came as soon as I could! Ah! surely he gave you some message—some word for me?"
"None, madam!" said Barnabas evenly, but his hand had clenched itself suddenly on the stick he held.
"But I—don't understand!" she sighed, with a helpless gesture of her white hands, "to hurry away like this, without a word! Oh, why—why did he go?"
"Madam," said Barnabas, "it was because I asked him to."