‘I should be glad of ten minutes’ talk with you, Mr. Gerard,’ said Treverton. ‘Will you walk my way?’
‘We’ll all walk as far as the Manor House,’ said Celia. ‘We need not be home till two, need we, mother?’
‘No, dear, but be sure you are punctual,’ answered the good-natured mother. ‘I shall say good-bye, Laura, my dear.’
While Laura lingered a little to take leave of Mrs. Clare, Treverton and Gerard walked on in front of Celia and her brother, along the frost-bound road, under the leafless elms.
‘The world is much smaller than I took it to be,’ John Treverton began, after a pause, ‘or you and I would hardly meet in such an out-of-the-way corner of it as this.’
Gerard said nothing.
‘Were you not surprised to see me in so altered a position?’ the other asked, after an uncomfortable pause.
‘Yes, I was certainly surprised.’
‘I am going to appeal to your kind feeling—nay, to your honour. My wife knows nothing of my past life, save that it was wild and foolish. You know too well what degradation there was for me in my first marriage. I am not going to speak ill of the dead——’
‘Pray do not,’ interposed Gerard, very pale.