“No,” said Arthur.
“Did you see him before he left England?”
“I did.”
“Did he take leave of you? did he bid you good-bye?”
“He did,” said Arthur.
“Pray pardon me, Mr. Phillips; I assure you these questions are of great moment—they concern the happiness of more than one person.”
Miss Tallant was greatly excited.
“Did he mention me to you upon that occasion?”
“Really, Miss Somerton—Miss Tallant—I beg your pardon,” said Arthur; “but you must not expect me to go into our private conversations.”
“I do, sir; I command—I entreat,” she added, in supplicating accents, “did he charge you with any message to me?”