"Just a little," she answered.
If you, good, grave sir, had been stoical enough to resist the upturned face, Lionel was not. He bent his lips and left a kiss upon it.
"Keep it until we meet again," he whispered.
Jan came in while they were at breakfast.
"I can't stop a minute," were his words when Decima asked him why he did not sit down. "I thought I'd run up and say good-bye to Lionel, but I am wanted in all directions. Mrs. Verner has sent for me, and there are the regular patients."
"Dr. West attends Mrs. Verner, Jan," said Decima.
"He did," replied Jan. "It is to be myself, now. West is gone."
"Gone!" was the universal echo. And Jan gave an explanation.
It was received in silence. The rumours affecting Dr. West had reached Deerham Court.
"What is the matter with Mrs. Verner?" asked Lionel. "She appeared as well as usual when I quitted her last night."