He could not face her to-day--she must go without seeing him--but he knew his mother loved him, and, in all deep moments, never questioned his will even if she did not understand it.
The note to her was very short, merely saying something was troubling him greatly for the time, so neither he nor Zara would come to luncheon; and she was to trust him and not speak of this to any one until he himself told her more.

He might come and see her in Cannes, the following week.
Then he wrote to Zara, and these were his words: "I know everything.

I understand now, and however I blame you for your deception of me you have my deep sympathy in your grief.

I am going away for a week, so you will not be distressed by seeing me.

Then I must ask you to meet me, here or at your uncle's house, to arrange for our future separation.
"Yours, "Tancred." Then he rang for a messenger boy, and gave him both notes, and, picking up the telephone, called up his valet and told him to pack and bring his things here to his old rooms, and, if her ladyship came in, to see that she immediately got the note he was sending round to her.