"You forget over what a wide extent the plain extends," said Awdrey; "but if I had known"—he stopped and bit his lips.
"Never mind," she answered, endeavoring to smile and look cheerful, "any sort of tragedy always affects me to a remarkable degree. I can't help it—I'm afraid there is something in me akin to trouble, but of course it would be folly for us to stay indoors just because that poor young fellow came to a violent end some miles away."
"Yes, it is quite some miles from here—I am truly sorry for him."
"Sit down here, Mr. Awdrey, here at my feet if you like, and tell me about it."
"I will sit at your feet with all the pleasure in the world, but why should we talk any more on this gruesome subject?"
"That's just it," said Margaret, "if I am to get rid of it, I must know all about it. You said you met him last night?"
"I did," said Awdrey, speaking with unwillingness.
"And you guess why he came by his end?"
"Partly, but not wholly."
"Well, do tell me."