“‘Go on!’ I said. ‘Know what?’
“‘About Master Hugo?’
“I didn’t say one way or the other.
“‘The doctor says it’s a bitter bad quinsy, but there’s just a chance. Her ladyship’s nearly mad. It only came on a few hours ago quite sudden.’
“I went up to the Abbey, and found Vere by the child’s bed. She looked flushed, and was breathing hard, as if she had just been running.”
He stopped, and took out his cigar-case.
“Running!” I said.
“She had parted finally from Glynd in front of Miss Bassett’s cottage,” he said. “He told me that afterwards.”
There was a moment’s silence. Then he spoke more calmly.
“I went up to town when the child was safe, and had it out with Glynd. They had meant to go that night. It was the boy who stopped them and they took it as a judgment. You know how women are. Glynd swore she was stopped in time. You understand?”