Wilfrid glanced at her frequently.

He was more observant now of the traces of bodily weakness in her; he saw how meagre she had become, how slight her whole frame was.

At moments it cost him a serious effort to refrain from leaning to her and whispering words--he knew not what--something kind, something that should change her fixed sadness.

Why had he forced his company upon her?
Certainly he brought her no joy, and presently he would take leave of her as any slight acquaintance might; how otherwise?
It would have been better to part there by the lake where she offered the occasion.
The steamer reached Hammersmith.

Only at this last moment he seemed to understand where he was and with whom, that Emily was sitting by him, in very deed here by his side, and directly would be gone--he knew not whither--scarcely to be met again.