"As you please, Natalie. The little I have told you or Evelyn can do no harm, so long as you keep it among yourselves."
"But I shall see again?" It was her heart that cried to him.
"Oh yes, Natalie," he said, gravely. "I may not have to leave England for a week or two. I will see you as often as I can until I go, my darling, though it may only be torture to you."
"Torture?" she said, sadly. "That will come after—until there is an end of the pain."
"Hush, you must not talk like that. You have now one with you whom it is your duty to support and console. She has not had a very happy life either, Natalie."
He was glad now that he was able to leave this terror-stricken girl in such tender hands. And as for himself, he found, when he had left, that somehow the strengthening of another had strengthened himself. He had less dread of the future; his face was firm; the time for vain regrets was over.