unhappiness into your life. I must live on--as I have lived--alone,
and, in addition, bear with other woes the memory of this latest
insult and horror. In the meantime, I must get away as quickly as
possible from Diana's Grove. In the morning I shall go up to town,
where I shall remain for a week--I cannot stay longer, as business
affairs demand my presence here. I think, however, that a week in the
rush of busy London, surrounded with multitudes of commonplace people,
will help to soften--I cannot expect total obliteration--the terrible
images of the bygone night. When I can sleep easily--which will be, I
hope, after a day or two--I shall be fit to return home and take up
again the burden which will, I suppose, always be with me.
"I shall be most happy to see you on my return--or earlier, if my good
fortune sends you on any errand to London. I shall stay at the
Mayfair Hotel. In that busy spot we may forget some of the dangers
and horrors we have shared together. Adieu, and thank you, again and
again, for all your kindness and consideration to me.
"ARABELLA MARSH."
Adam was surprised by this effusive epistle, but he determined to say
nothing of it to Sir Nathaniel until he should have thought it well over.
When Adam met Sir Nathaniel at breakfast, he was glad that he had taken
time to turn things over in his mind. The result had been that not only
was he familiar with the facts in all their bearings, but he had already
so far differentiated them that he was able to arrange them in his own
mind according to their values. Breakfast had been a silent function, so
it did not interfere in any way with the process of thought.
So soon as the door was closed, Sir Nathaniel began:
"I see, Adam, that something has occurred, and that you have much to tell
me."
"That is so, sir. I suppose I had better begin by telling you all I
know--all that has happened since I left you yesterday?"
Accordingly Adam gave him details of all that had happened during the
previous evening. He confined himself rigidly to the narration of
circumstances, taking care not to colour events by any comment of his
own, or any opinion of the meaning of things which he did not fully
understand. At first, Sir Nathaniel seemed disposed to ask questions,
but shortly gave this up when he recognised that the narration was
concise and self-explanatory. Thenceforth, he contented himself with
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