Nigel was silent. He folded the half-sheet, unread, and put it into his pocket. The next remark was— "Daisy, you are not to say a word about this." "Not tell Fulvia?" "No. You are not to tell any one." "Not even Mr. Carden-Cox?" "Certainly not." "But won't you tell him." "No." "Won't you speak to Fulvia?" "That is for me to decide, not you. I forbid you to say one word! Mind!—I mean it!" "Of course I'll do what you wish," said Daisy reluctantly. "Only Mr. Carden-Cox would have liked to know." "It doesn't matter what Mr. Carden-Cox would or would not like. You are to keep the thing to yourself." Daisy gazed at him dubiously. "Do you think—are you—?" she faltered. "Are you angry? Poor Fulvia! I do wish I hadn't fished that stupid postscript out! After all this time! I do wish I had not said a word to you." "Nothing is gained in the end by concealment." "No—poor Fulvia!—" applying the axiom to another, instead of herself. "I wish she had spoken out. But perhaps she was afraid. She gets so frightened now of doing anything you may not like. I never know Fulvia could be a coward till lately. Are you very angry?" "I am—" and a pause—"disappointed in Fulvia. I could not have thought it possible." "But I don't believe she meant to do wrong. Perhaps she forgot. Oh, don't be vexed; because it is my fault." "What! The finding of this?" "Yes. If only I had not told!" Daisy actually burst into tears. "There is no fault so far as you are concerned," Nigel said quietly. "The finding was accidental. The hiding could not have been. But I don't wish to discuss Fulvia's conduct with you, Daisy. I trust you not to let it go any further. Now you can take these boxes away, and leave me alone." "But—if Fulvia asks—?" "She will not. If she should, you may refer her to me." Daisy gave him a frightened look of acquiescence, and caught up the empty box. Nigel carried the heavy full one upstairs for her, and then he disappeared into the study. "If only I had not found it! I wish I hadn't!" sighed Daisy. Mr. Carden-Cox did not look particularly ill, but he proclaimed himself so, and required much pity. Fulvia gave him some expression of it, to the best of her power, while her thoughts wandered constantly to Nigel. The first hour of talk was aimless. Then Mr. Carden-Cox arrived at the point, with a jerk. "So your madre allowed you to come! Didn't forbid it!" "No." "You made up a decent message from me, I hope." "I told her you wanted me to do so." "Humph! And she said—" "Madre supposed that to be meant for an apology." "Humph!" again. "Well, when she wants me she can send word." "She is willing to see you now. You cannot expect more," Fulvia retorted with spirit. "That's your opinion! A chit of a girl like you! But you were brought up among them. However—enough about that. I'm going to have my will made." "Yes." "Leaving all I have to you." Fulvia was silent.