He determined to encourage it.
'None that I'm aware of,' he replied.

'Mrs.Willoughby, of course, would be likely to know first.' 'Why ?' 'Haven't you noticed?
They have struck up a great friendship lately--always pair off together, you know.' Miss Le Mesurier's lips curled at the despicable phrase, but she blamed Mrs.Willoughby for the fact which it described, not Sidney Mallinson.
His attitude she could understand, and make allowance for; it had been a despairing act prompted by an instinct of self-preservation to rid himself of the hopeless thought of her.

An unsuccessful act too, for the poor fellow had broken down.

She had no doubts as to the origin of his illness, and overflowed promptly with sympathy.

Her resentment against Mrs.Willoughby none the less remained.
Driving homewards she asked her, 'Why didn't you tell me before that Mr.
Mallinson was ill ?' 'My dear, I never gave a thought to it until I saw Mr.Fielding.