"There is no need for that, it is not so very late," returned Queenie hurriedly. "I only came to see Langley, and—and because I heard there was some trouble."
Queenie hardly knew what she was saying in her confusion and nervousness; now they were face to face what could she find to say to him.
"All the same, that need not prevent my walking with you," he returned quietly. He spoke in his ordinary manner, but Queenie noticed that his face was very pale and his eyes had dark lines under them; he had avoided looking at her too, and his hand when it touched hers had been cold and shook a little. "It has left off raining, and the stars are coming out overhead, so there is no fear of your getting wet."
"I am not afraid of getting wet," she replied with a little nervous laugh. When they were outside the gate be slackened his steps a little.
"So they have told you about everything?" he said in rather a forced tone.
"Yes; they have told me everything," she returned simply, "and, Mr. Clayton, I do not know what to say, except that I am more sorry than I can tell you."
"I always knew we might count on your sympathy."
"It seems such a dreadful thing to have happened, so utterly unexpected."
"You may well say that. If an earthquake had yawned under my feet it could not have been a greater shock. I thought myself so safe, in such absolute security, and now my foolhardiness has gone near to ruin us."
"Ah, you must not say that."