She seemed a little confused at meeting Henry, and for a moment appeared to avoid his glance.

Then, with a certain bravado, oddly mingled with a deprecating air, she raised her eyes to his and bowed.
It was the first intimation he had had of the true reason of her alienation.

Mechanically he walked on and on, too stunned to think as yet, feeling only that there was a terrible time of thinking ahead.
"Hadn't we better turn back, hear ?" said Laura, very gently.
He looked up.

They were a mile or two out of the village on a lonely country road.

They turned, and she said, softly, in the tone like the touch of tender fingers on an aching spot-- "I knew it long ago, but I hadn't the heart to tell you.