'Howson?' he said, surprised. 'Do you know him? Yes, I shall certainly see Howson. He's now the principal surgeon at one of the General Hospitals there, where I specially want to look at some new splints they've been trying.'
Nelly moved on without speaking for a little. At last she said, almost inaudibly—
'He promised me—to make enquiries.'
'Did he?' Farrell spoke in the grave, deep voice he seemed to keep for her alone, which was always sweet to her ear. 'And he has never written?' She shook her head. 'But he would have written—instantly—you may be quite sure, if there had been the slightest clue.'
'Oh yes, I know, I know,' she said hastily.
'Give me any message for him you like—or any questions you'd like me to ask.'
'Yes'—she said, vaguely.
It seemed to him she was walking languidly, and he was struck by her weary look. The afternoon had turned windy and cold with gusts of rain. But when he suggested an immediate return to the cottage, Nelly would have none of it.
'We were to meet Captain Marsworth and Miss Stewart. Where are they?'
They emerged at the moment from the cottage grounds, upon the high road; Farrell pointed ahead, and Nelly saw Marsworth and Miss Stewart walking fast up the hill before them, and evidently in close conversation.