But when people get to my age two years go like one!--Your second question, why did I go away so mysteriously, is surely not necessary.

You guessed why, didn't you ?' 'No, I never once guessed,' she said simply; 'nor did Charles, nor did anybody as far as I know.' 'Well, indeed! Now think it over again, and then look at me, and say if you can't guess ?' She looked him in the face with an inquiring smile.

'Surely not because of me ?' she said, pausing at the commencement of surprise.
Barnet nodded, and smiled again; but his smile was sadder than hers.
'Because I married Charles ?' she asked.
'Yes; solely because you married him on the day I was free to ask you to marry me.

My wife died four-and-twenty hours before you went to church with Downe.

The fixing of my journey at that particular moment was because of her funeral; but once away I knew I should have no inducement to come back, and took my steps accordingly.' Her face assumed an aspect of gentle reflection, and she looked up and down his form with great interest in her eyes.