"Ah!" I exclaimed, "you don't know all--you judge too leniently. Some
day perhaps," but then I broke off abruptly. There was time enough for
confessing my own foolish share in the affair; what I had to do at
present was not to lose the opportunity. "I must answer your question,"
I resumed. "No, I have not heard anything at all for many weeks; the
Wynyards have been away, and it is not probable that Miss Wynyard had
anything to tell me, though she does know that I am greatly interested
in the Grim House people."
Clarence smiled a little.
"Oh! that's what they call the place, is it?" he said; "I had not heard
it before. You see I know nothing of the neighbourhood or of what is
said about them there. I go down solely on business, and never prolong
my stay unnecessarily. Then," he added, "does Miss Wynyard not know
anything about the real circumstances of your brother's accident?"
"Of course not," I replied, with a touch of indignation. "Have you
forgotten my arrangement with Mr Grey? That no one but themselves, and
you of course, and Moore and I, should know about it. Why, even when
the little old sisters came over so kindly the next morning, they did
not hint in the very slightest degree that they had heard anything of it
except from outside sources!"
But my rather sharp retort and reproachful manner only seemed to amuse
my companion again.
"Yes," he said, "I gathered as much from Miss Grey's account of the
visit. It must have been quite a little comedy in its way."
"It was very, very _kind_ of them," I said, not yet quite smoothed down.
"Of course it was," he replied, "as I think I have had the pleasure of
telling you before, they are the very kindest people in the world. That
is why one feels so specially for them in their troubles. But please
forgive me for supposing that you took Miss Wynyard into your
confidence--I spoke thoughtlessly. Then you had not even heard of poor
Caryll Grey's serious illness?"
"Oh yes, I had," I exclaimed. "I meant to have said so, but I am afraid
I've got a very confused way of talking."
I glanced round half nervously, for I had a worried feeling that his
father and mother would be looking for us, and wondering where we were.
Clarence seemed to understand intuitively.
"There is no hurry," he said gently, "my father and mother are perfectly
happy by themselves. It is an old joke among us that they are always
ready for a little bit of honeymooning. Let us sit down--it's more
comfortable when one wants to talk."
I did so. There was a quiet corner where we were practically completely
alone. I could see, and I was not sorry for it, that Clarence Payne was
really interested--professionally so, I may almost say; his quick
instinct had detected something more than ordinary kindly feeling or
curiosity of any kind in my tone about the matter, and it made it easier
for me to continue.
"Yes," I repeated, "I did know about the younger brother's illness, and
I should like to hear more. Indeed anything that you feel you can tell
me. Is he getting better? Do you think he will recover? Isabel
Wynyard only told me that the doctor looked very grave when she or her
father inquired about him."
Clarence thought for a moment before replying. I waited anxiously.
"He is certainly very seriously ill," he said at last. "But these
delicate people often pull through where stronger ones snap. But--I
fear there are complications which are unfavourable."
"Do you mean," I said eagerly, "anything connected with the whole
affair? The mystery, whatever it is? For of course that there is a
mystery is no secret. You said I might ask you anything," I concluded
apologetically, for it seemed to me that his face by this time grew
earnest, grew increasingly so, as I went on speaking.
"Yes, yes," he said quickly, "it wasn't that I was thinking of. You are
quite right to speak openly, and yet"--and he turned and looked me fully
in the face--"we are both fencing a little, Miss Fitzmaurice, I feel,
after all. My impression is that you know something more than so far
you have been able to allow. Tell me, is it not so? And on my side, I
will confide to you that I believe Caryll Grey would have a much better
chance if his mind were more at ease."