"It was Mrs.Adair, I imagine, who proposed this plan that I should come home to Guessens and that you should stay with her here across the fields ?" Ethne was puzzled by the question, but she answered it directly and truthfully.

"I was in great distress when I heard of your accident.

I was so distressed that at the first I could not think what to do.

I came to London and told Laura, since she is my friend, and this was her plan.
Of course I welcomed it with all my heart;" and the note of pleading rang in her voice.

She was asking Durrance to confirm her words, and he understood that.