Paula kept silence; her eyes were directed towards Dalmaine, who almost at the same moment looked towards her.

She played with her fan.
'You know that my uncle has been ill ?' she said.
'No, I have heard nothing of that.' Paula looked surprised.
'Don't you hear from--from them ?' 'I have a letter from Mr.Newthorpe very occasionally But surely the illness has not been serious ?' 'Mamma heard this morning about it.

I don't know what's been the matter.

I shouldn't wonder if they come to London before long.' Egremont shortly changed his place, and saw that Dalmaine took the vacant seat by Paula.

The two seemed to get on very well together.
Paula was evidently exerting herself to be charming; Dalmaine was doing his best to trifle.
He sought more information from Mrs.Tyrrell regarding Mr.Newthorpe.
She seemed to fear that her brother-in-law might have been in more danger than Annabel in her letter admitted.
'They certainly must come south,' she said.