And in any case, we shall be home again on Thursday night.

We shall be able to catch the last train back." During the day or two which intervened before the family exodus, Nan could hardly contain her impatience.

Their absence would give her the opportunity she longed for--the opportunity to get away from Trenby! The idea had flashed into her mind the instant Lady Gertrude had informed her she would be left alone there, and now each hour that must elapse before she could carry out her plan seemed an eternity.
Following upon the prolonged strain of the preceding three months, that last terrible scene with Roger had snapped her endurance.

She could not look back upon it without shuddering.

Since the day of its occurrence she had hardly spoken to him, except at meal times when, as if by mutual consent, they both conversed as though nothing had happened--for Lady Gertrude's benefit.