There was a strong regard and sympathy between them; and his presence in the house of mourning would undoubtedly be useful to Paul for a while; besides, there were Marie's words--'Will you stay with him a few days--after-- ?'--which were binding on him.

He must write, then; but it was only to be hoped that no newspaper would bring her the news before his letter could reach.
However, as the day wore on, Paul came noiselessly out of the quiet room where the white shrouded form seemed still to spread a tender presence round it, and said to Eustace with dry, piteous lips: 'I have remembered Miss Bretherton; you must go to her to-morrow, after--the funeral' 'I can't bear the thought of leaving you,' said Kendal, laying a brotherly hand on his shoulder, 'Let me write to-day.' Paul shook his head.

'She has been ill.

Any way it will be a great shock; but if you go it will be better.' Kendal resisted a little more, but it seemed as if Marie's motherly carefulness over the bright creature who had charmed her had passed into Paul.

He was saying what Marie would have said, taking thought as she would have taken it for one she loved, and it was settled as he wished.
When his long pacing in the Champs Elysees was over Kendal went back to find Paul busy with his wife's letters and trinkets, turning them over With a look of shivering forlornness, as though the thought of the uncompanioned lifetime to come were already closing upon him like some deadly chill in the air.