"At the end of next week, I'm afraid."
"And how long will it be?"
"That I don't know. But three or four months certainly. It will put off our wedding, dearest, a bit. But you'd like me to go, wouldn't you? I should be at the hub of things."
The colour rushed into her cheeks.
"Must you go?"
Her manner amazed him. He had expected that one so ambitious and energetic in her own way of life would have greeted his news with eagerness. The proposal was really a great compliment to him—and a great chance.
"I don't see how I could refuse it," he said with an altered countenance.
"Indeed—I don't think I could."
She dropped her face into her hands, and stared into the fire. In some trouble of mind, he knelt down beside her, and put his arm round her.
"I'll write every day. It won't be long, darling."
She shook her head, and he felt a shudder run through her.