But with all her satisfied persuasion, Edith felt a strange pang with the thought that this evening would be the last alone with her life-long friend.
When he entered, she arose to meet him with her customary frankness.
"I have been waiting for you to call this past week as usual, but as you didn't come I felt at liberty to send for you."
"Always, Edith," he said pressing her hand. "At any time or place, I am at your command. No one knows that better than yourself."
The meaning of his direct gaze was only too positive, and Edith felt suddenly overcome with pity and constraint. How could she tell him of her engagement, when he did not even suspect it? She colored hotly and dropped her gaze.
"My absence this week has been unavoidable," George continued, as they both sat down opposite to one another. "You have heard of my cousin, Will Lambert, and I believe you have met his wife occasionally?"
"O, yes, only a week ago I attended an afternoon affair at her home. What a pretty, attractive woman she is!"
Walter's face became grave, and his eyes looked unutterable sadness.
"O, Edith, if you could only see her now! Poor little wreck of womanhood! She is undergoing unbearable sorrow!"
Edith's eyes shot instant interest.