“You should have let me know Miss Lindon long ago,” she said.
“I should have done many things long ago,” he replied. “But I myself have known my aunt only the last few days.”
She regarded him somewhat incredulously.
“Yes,” he said, “it's true. The last few days have taught me all kinds of things. I never knew what she was”—he made a vague gesture—“until it was too late. I think, Stella dear, I have gone through life with my heart shut.”
“Except to me,” said Stellamaris.
“That's different,” he said, with a turn of his great shoulders.
He left her abruptly and joined the group of the three elders by the window. She came to Herold, who had been standing with his back against the empty fire-place.
“You must be very tired.”
He saw her brows knit in their familiar little fairy wrinkles as she anxiously scanned his face. Indeed, he was very weary, and his eyes and cheeks showed it.
“There has been a lot not only to do, but to feel of late,” he said.