"Do you wish to be alone ?" he asked, considerately.

"Shall I leave you for a while and return again ?" She looked up with a start of terror.

"Leave me ?" she repeated, and suddenly checked herself on the point of saying more.

Nearly half the length of the room divided them from each other.

The words which she was longing to say were words that would never pass her lips unless she could see some encouragement in his face.