He unconsciously stiffened.
"He is very kind," he said rather formally; "but of course I meant to call, or at least leave my card--I had just told your sister so." "Perhaps you had better call at the vicarage first," returned Elizabeth hurriedly.

"Mr.Carlyon is rarely out of his room before mid-day, and all hours are alike to Mr.Charrington." And when Malcolm had gravely agreed to do this, Elizabeth went upstairs to prepare for dinner, and did not appear again until the gong sounded.
She did not forget her promise, however, of taking Cedric off Dinah's hands, and as soon as they had finished their coffee she challenged him to a game of chess in the inner drawing-room, where on cold nights a second fire generally burned.
The rooms were so large that unless Dinah and Malcolm raised their voices it was impossible to hear their conversation, and as Cedric had his back to them he had no idea that they were talking more confidentially than usual; but from Malcolm's position Elizabeth's face stood out in full relief, and in spite of all his efforts his attention often wandered.
Even in those few short weeks since they had last met he could see a change in her.

She had grown thinner and paler, and there was a deepened sadness in her eyes; and yet in his opinion she had never looked more lovely, though it was more the inward than outward loveliness that he meant.
He noticed how mechanically she played, and how the game failed to interest her.

When Cedric checkmated her twice, she only rose with an air of relief, as though she had finished a wearisome task, and came towards them.
"I am cold," she said simply, as Dinah made room for her; "we nearly let the fire out between us." But as she sat in her snug corner warming her hands, she did not attempt to join in the conversation.

Indeed, her manner was so absent that Malcolm felt convinced that she heard little of what they said, and he was not surprised that Dinah noticed it at last.
"You are tired, Betty dear," she said kindly; "I am quite sure that Mr.
Herrick will excuse you;" and Elizabeth availed herself at once of this permission to withdraw.
"She is not at her ease," Malcolm thought bitterly.