He was then to tell Mrs.O'Hara--just the truth.

He was to say that a messenger had come from Scroope announcing the death of the Earl, and that Neville had been obliged to start at once for England.
"But you will be back ?" said Simpkinson.
Neville paused a moment.

"Yes, I shall be back, but don't say anything of that to either of the ladies." "Must I say I don't know?
They'll be sure to ask, I should say." "Of course they'll ask.

Just tell them that the whole thing has been arranged so quickly that nothing has been settled, but that they shall hear from me at once.

You can say that you suppose I shall be back, but that I promised that I would write.