CHAPTER XI.
From this retreat, Irene wrote to her cousin Olga Hannaford, and in the course of the letter made inquiry whether anything was known at Ewell about a severe illness that had befallen young Mr.Otway.Olga replied that she had heard of no such event; that they had received no news at all of Mr.Otway since his leaving England.

This did not allay an uneasiness which, in various forms, had troubled Irene ever since she heard that her studious acquaintance had abandoned his ambitions and gone back to commerce.

A few weeks more elapsed, and--being now in Scotland--she received a confirmation of what Arnold Jacks had reported.

Immediately on reaching Odessa, Piers Otway had fallen ill, and for a time was in danger.

Irene mused.