Probably she was not far wrong in her supposition as to the pointedness of his remarks, for suddenly glancing on his listener's downcast anxious countenance he exclaimed, addressing his wife:
"Bye the bye, Olivia, I mean to be off abroad in a day or two."
"Good Heavens, Louis! what new fancy is this?"
"Why, I have heard something to-day which has really put me quite into a fever."
"Well, what is it? Some nonsense, I dare say."
"I at least do not think it so. Dawson, who I saw to-day, declares that Trevor, Eustace Trevor I mean, was seen by some one not long ago in Switzerland. Yes," he continued, encouraged by Mary's glance of intense and startled interest, "he was seen with another person—the keeper I suppose they talk about—somewhere on the Alps."
"The Alps!—poor fellow! gone there to cool his brain, I suppose," said Mrs. de Burgh, whose countenance nevertheless had bespoke her not a little moved by this communication.
"Cool his brain!—nonsense! cool enough by this time, depend upon it."
"But does Eugene know of this?" faltered Mary.
"I suppose so," replied Mr. de Burgh, coldly.