With an effort she controlled herself.
"How long shall you be away ?" she asked.
"It is impossible for me to say.

Everything depends upon the state of affairs at the mines.

But you may be quite sure, Anne"-- a deeper note crept into his voice--"that my absence will be as short as I can possibly make it." She turned her head towards him again.
"You needn't hurry for my sake," she said abruptly.

"I shall be perfectly happy here." "I am glad to hear it," he answered gravely.

"I have made full provision for you.