Their understanding was taken up by these new snatched moments where that occasion had left it.
"He has never told her that I know.

Of that I'm at last satisfied." And then as Mrs.Assingham opened wide eyes: "I've been in the dark since we came down, not understanding what he has been doing or intending--not making out what can have passed between them.

But within a day or two I've begun to suspect, and this evening, for reasons--oh, too many to tell you!--I've been sure, since it explains.

NOTHING has passed between them--that's what has happened.

It explains," the Princess repeated with energy; "it explains, it explains!" She spoke in a manner that her auditor was afterwards to describe to the Colonel, oddly enough, as that of the quietest excitement; she had turned back to the chimney-place, where, in honour of a damp day and a chill night, the piled logs had turned to flame and sunk to embers; and the evident intensity of her vision for the fact she imparted made Fanny Assingham wait upon her words.