He asked his question in a quiet voice; but, though the news had reached him thus suddenly, he had sufficient control over himself to prevent any plain expression of his feelings.

The thing which had been told him had gone into his heart like a knife; but he did not intend that Madame Faragon should know that he had been wounded.
'It is quite true.

There is no doubt about it.

Stodel's man with the roulage brought me word direct from your step-mother.' George immediately began to inquire within himself why Stodel's man with the roulage had not brought some word direct to him, and answered the question to himself not altogether incorrectly.

'O, yes,' continued Madame Faragon, 'it is quite true--on the 15th of October.
I suppose you will be going over to the wedding.' This she said in her usual whining tone of small complaint, signifying thereby how great would be the grievance to herself to be left alone at that special time.
'I shall not go to the wedding,' said George.