Hilliard took a seat, crossed his legs, and grasped his knee.  The girl appeared to wait for an answer to her last words, but he said nothing, and stared at the floor.

“If it’s fine to-morrow,” Patty continued, after observing him furtively, “are you coming to Dudley?”

“Yes, I shall come over.  Did she send any message?”

“No—­nothing particular——­”

Patty looked confused, stroked her dress, and gave a little cough.

“But if it rains—­as it very likely will—­there’s no use in my coming”

“No, she said not.”

“Or if her headache is still troubling her——­”

“Let’s hope it will be better.  But—­in any case, she’ll be able to come with me to Birmingham on Monday, when I go back I must be home again on Monday night.”

“Don’t you think,” said Hilliard carelessly, “that Eve would rather have you to herself, just for the short time you are here?”

Patty made vigorous objection.

“I don’t think that at all.  It’s quite settled that you are to come over to-morrow, if it’s fine.  Oh, and I do hope it will be!  It would be so dreadful to be shut up in the house all day at Dudley.  How very awkward that there’s no place where she can have you there!  If it rains, hadn’t we better come here?  I’m sure it would be better for Eve.  She seems to get into such low spirits—­just like she was sometimes in London.”

“That’s quite news to me,” said the listener gravely.

“Doesn’t she let you know?  Then I’m so sorry I mentioned it.  You won’t tell her I said anything?”

“Wait a moment.  Does she say that she is often in low spirits?”

Patty faltered, stroking her dress with the movement of increasing nervousness.

“It’s better I should know,” Hilliard added, “I’m afraid she keeps all this from me.  For several weeks I have thought her in particularly good health.”

“But she tells me just the opposite.  She says——­”

“Says what?”

“Perhaps it’s only the place that doesn’t agree with her.  I don’t think Dudley is very healthy, do you?”

“I never heard of doctors sending convalescents there.  But Eve must be suffering from some other cause, I think.  Does it strike you that she is at all like what she used to be when—­when you felt so anxious about her?”

He met the girl’s eyes, and saw them expand in alarm.

“I didn’t think—­I didn’t mean——­” she stammered.

“No, but I have a reason for asking.  Is it so or not?”

“Don’t frighten me, Mr. Hilliard!  I do so wish I hadn’t said anything.  She isn’t in good health, that’s all.  How can you think ——?  That was all over long ago.  And she would never—­I’m sure she wouldn’t, after all you’ve done for her.”

Hilliard ground the carpet with his foot, and all but uttered a violent ejaculation.

“I know she is all gratitude,” were the words that became audible.