‘Ah, perhaps, very likely,’ replied Mr Sterndale, who was fumbling with some papers he held in his hand. ‘Indeed, I have no doubt his lordship will be back before long--when he has completed another little trip he has in contemplation to the Grecian Isles.’ Nell’s face assumed a look of perplexity. ‘Another yachting trip, and not homewards? Oh, I think you must be mistaken, Mr Sterndale, or are you saying it to tease me? He has been gone four months already, ever since the fifth of April, and I am expecting to hear he has started for home by every mail. What has put such an idea into your head?’ ‘No one less than his lordship himself, Miss Llewellyn. In a letter from him, dated the beginning of the month, but which, for reasons which I will explain hereafter, I have not thought fit to bring to you till now, he distinctly says that when certain arrangements which he is making in Malta are completed, he intends to sail for the Grecian Isles, and does not expect to be home at Thistlemere till late in the autumn.’ Nell looked fearfully anxious and distressed. ‘I cannot believe it,’ she said incredulously. ‘Why should Ilfracombe make such arrangements without consulting me first? He always has done so. I might have wished to join him in Malta. We have been separated for such a long time now--longer than ever before, and I have told him how sick and weary I am of it--how I long to see him again.’ ‘The money has not run short, has it?’ inquired the solicitor; ‘for, if so, you should have applied to me.’ She gave a shrug of impatience. ‘My money has never run short, thank you,’ she replied. ‘Ilfracombe thinks too much of my comfort for that.’ ‘It is his prolonged stay abroad, then, that is puzzling you,’ continued Mr Sterndale; ‘but I am in a position to explain that. I have a painful duty before me, Miss Llewellyn, but I don’t know that I shall make it any better by beating about the bush.’ ‘A painful task,’ she echoed, with staring eyes. ‘For God’s sake, don’t tell me that my--that Ilfracombe is ill?’ ‘No, no, nothing of the sort. But has it never occurred to you, Miss Llewellyn, that circumstances may alter in this life, that a tie like that between you and Lord Ilfracombe, for example, does not, as a rule, last for ever.’ ‘No, never,’ she answered firmly, ‘because it is no ordinary tie, and Lord Ilfracombe is a gentleman. I am as sure of him as I am of myself. He would never break his word to me.’ ‘There is no question of breaking his word. You knew the conditions under which you took up your residence in this house, and that you have no legal right here.’ ‘Have you come here to insult me?’ cried Nell shrilly. ‘How dare you allude to any agreement between Lord Ilfracombe and myself? I _am_ here, that is quite enough for you to know, and the earl has said that I am to remain. I am sure he never desired you to come here and taunt me with my position?’