Nay, more! For when two people are first brought into a true contact, there is the secret delightful sense on either side of possibilities, of the unexplored.

But when the possibilities are all known, and all exhausted?
What had happened between him and Lucy Foster?
Of course she understood that he had deliberately contrived their interview.

But as Lucy and she came home together they had said almost nothing to each other.

She had a vision of their two silent figures in the railway-carriage side by side,--her hand in Lucy's.

And Lucy--so sad and white herself!--with the furrowed brow that betrayed the inner stress of thought.
Had the crisis arrived ?--and had she refused him?
Eleanor had not dared to ask.
Suddenly she rose from her chair.