"Only for a day or two. It was a false report."
"And when you see him—in case he has not had that packet—you will tell him this that I am now about to tell you."
"What is its nature?" asked William.
"Will you promise to tell him?"
"Not until I first hear what it may be," fearlessly replied William. "Intrust it to me, if you will, and I will keep it sacred; but I must use my own judgment as to imparting it to Herbert Dare. It may be something that would be better left unsaid."
"I do not ask you to keep it sacred," she rejoined. "You may tell it to the world if you please; you may tell it to your wife; you may tell it to all Helstonleigh. But not until I am dead. Will you give that promise?"
"That I will readily give you."
"On your honour?"
William's truthful eyes smiled into hers. "On my honour—if that shall better satisfy you. It was not necessary."
She remained silent a few moments, and then burst forth vehemently. "When you see him, that cochon, that vaurien——"