He would have liked to see her, in order to tell her about Michael's condition, and also to deliver in person a message which Michael had sent to Fay by him.

But when he realised that a detour would be necessary in order to accomplish this, he wrote to Fay to tell her with deep regret that it was impossible for him to see her, gave her Michael's message, and returned to England by the way he came.
Nevertheless, he often thought of her, for she was inextricably associated with the unspeakable trouble of his life, his brother's living death.
When all was over, and the last sod had--so to speak--been cast upon that living grave, Fay tried to take up her life again.

But she could not.

She had lost heart.

She dared not be alone.