'Why is it one never sees Mr. Jacomb now?' he asked of his companion.
'I saw him only the other day,' she said evasively.
'But he does not come to the house, does he?'
'N—no,' said Madge.
'Has he left Brighton?'
'Oh no,' answered Madge, and she drew his attention to a brig that was making up Channel under very scant sail indeed.
'I daresay he has a good deal of work to do,' said Frank King absently.
'When are they going to be married?'
Madge saw that the revelation could be put off no longer.
'Oh, but they are not going to be married. Nan isn't going to be married at all.'
He stared at her, as if he had scarcely heard her aright; and then he said slowly—