"May I not know why you sent them away?"
He said, his haggard profile turned to her, a muscle of his pale cheek twitching:
"I am going away myself: that is the reason why. All debts are paid. I have completed all the arrangements, entailing the minimum of annoyance upon you."
"May I not come with you upon your voyage?"
His eyes were still averted as his grey lips answered:
"No! I am going where you cannot come!"
"Owen, tell me where you are going?"
Her tone of entreaty knocked at the door of his barred heart. He winced palpably. "Excuse me," he said, and took another step towards the door. She stopped him with:
"You are not excused from answering my question!"
"I am going, first to get you some breakfast," said Saxham curtly, "and then to find a woman to attend upon you here."