A few friendly words were spoken, and the old man referred to an excursion they had agreed to make together on the morrow, the general holiday.
'I'm very sorry,' replied Kirkwood, 'but it'll be impossible for me to go.' Jane was standing near him; her countenance fell, expressing uttermost disappointment.
'Something has happened,' pursued Sidney, 'that won't let me go away, even for a few hours.

I don't mean to say that it would really prevent me, but I should be so uneasy in my mind all the time that I couldn't enjoy myself, and I should only spoil your pleasure.

Of course you'll go just the same ?' Snowdon reassured him on this point.

Jane had just been about to lay supper; she continued her task, and Sidney made a show of sharing the meal.

Soon after, as if conscious that Sidney would speak with more freedom of his trouble but for her presence, Jane bade them good-night and went to her own room.