“‘So it appears,’ I retorted, thoroughly provoked; ’but I hope you
    will oblige me by being as expeditious as possible, for I am very
    much afraid that I shall miss the train to-night.’

“He looked at me a moment as if to be sure he understood my meaning, then turned and sprang on his horse, at the same time remarking, ’You are right:  I had better not detain you.  I had forgotten your journey.’

“We cantered on in silence for about three miles.  The flush of anger had slowly faded out of his face, when he commenced abruptly:  ’Miss Vachy, I have no right to ask you what I intend asking, but I have always thought you had a kind heart, and perhaps you will answer my question.  You may depend that the confidence you may place in me will be held sacred.’  Then less quickly, ’Will you tell me, have you an understanding, or are you engaged, or do you care for any one else?’

“For a moment I thought of entering into an explanation—­of telling him what my aunt expected of me, and what I intended doing—­only I did not myself know what I intended doing; and it seemed absurd to begin such an account without being able to complete it.  Besides, if he thought I cared for some one else, it would end the matter and save a world of argument; so I replied hesitatingly, ’I am sorry, Mr. Kenderdine, that I cannot answer your question, but—­’

    “‘Enough:  I understand.’

“Then our canter quickened into a gallop, and the gallop into a race.  I am quite sure those horses never went at such a pace in their lives before.  Fred seemed unconscious of the run we were making of it, unconscious of everything, urging his poor beast whenever it flagged, and fretting its mouth by alternately jerking and loosening the reins, until had it been anything but a livery hack it would have been frantic.  Conversation was impossible, and I had nothing to sustain me during the ride but the satisfaction of feeling that I had done my duty.”

    “It don’t seem to me that you are getting any nearer the end of your
    story.”

“The darkest hour is that which precedes the dawn,” said Eleanor, adding maliciously, “if you are tired I will tell you the rest to-morrow.  Don’t you see that I must bring you up to it gradually, so that the shock will not be too great?”

    “But think of the suspense I am in.”

    “My dear, the first steps in any career are as important as the
    last; so curb your curiosity and listen.  If you were telling it, you
    would not get on one bit faster.”

    “Perhaps not,” I answered doubtfully:  “however, continue.”

“Thanks to our haste, we got to Paris early enough to allow me to rest and have supper.  I had sent on my baggage by express, and had nothing to worry about Starting at seven, I should arrive next morning at Brussels.  I can sleep famously in the cars, and I apprehended no difficulty.  Fred, looking as black as a thundercloud, took me to the station, and was preposterous enough to ask me if I was not sorry I was going.”

    “And what did you say?”