It was heartbreaking.

Then he got up and begged my pardon for what he had said, and that was the worst of it all.

He declared that if he went the rest of his way alone the journey would be all the easier for the mile I went along with him, and at that somehow I began to cry too, and--and--that's all.' Mrs.Willoughby sat silent for a little.

'So you refused him,' she said thoughtfully, and she bent towards Clarice.

'Is it to be Stephen Drake ?' Clarice started up from the sofa, and stood looking into the fire.