Why did you not bring this feather to me last summer ?" "Last year my leave was short.

I spent it in the hills north of Suakin after ibex." "I see," said Ethne, quietly; "I hope you had good sport." "It wasn't bad." Last summer Ethne had been free.

If Willoughby had come home with his good news instead of shooting ibex on Jebel Araft, it would have made all the difference in her life, and the cry was loud at her heart, "Why didn't you come ?" But outwardly she gave no sign of the irreparable harm which Willoughby's delay had brought about.

She had the self-command of a woman who has been sorely tried, and she spoke so unconcernedly that Willoughby believed her questions prompted by the merest curiosity.
"You might have written," she suggested.
"Feversham did not suggest that there was any hurry.

It would have been a long and difficult matter to explain in a letter.