Nance could read faces very quickly.
“What is the matter?” she said, looking at her husband.
He hesitated for a moment. It seemed cruel to tell her before Lady Georgina; but after all it might be the best way.
“I was telling this good old friend of mine,” he said, “that I am obliged to leave Rowton Heights in a few minutes. I was asking her to be good to you during my absence.”
Nance had a good deal of pride, and also much latent strength of character. Had Rowton given her this information when they were alone, she would probably have cried and fallen on his neck; now she only turned very pale, drew herself up until her slender but stately height gave her new-born dignity, and said in a gentle tone:
“Thank you for thinking about me. I did not know you were going away. Shall you be back to-morrow?”
“Plucky darling,” said Rowton under his breath. Aloud he said: “I shall be away for a few days. I will write to you from town.”
“And where are you going?” she asked in a curiously steady tone.
“I will let you know from town.”