In spite of what he said it did hold her, and her hand again almost caressed him. “But--till you do tell me--is it very very dreadful?” “That’s just perhaps what I may have to get you to decide.” “Then shall I help you?” she eagerly asked. “I think it will be quite in your line.” At the thought of her line--it sounded somehow so general--she released him a little with a sigh, yet still looking round, as it were, for possibilities. “Jane, you know, is in a state.” “Yes, Jane’s in a state. That’s a comfort!” She continued in a manner to cling to him. “But is it your only one?” He was very kind and patient. “Not perhaps quite.” “I’M a little of one?” “My dear child, as you see.” Yes, she saw, but was still on the wing. “And shall you have recourse--?” “To what?” he asked as she appeared to falter. “I don’t mean to anything violent. But shall you tell Nanda?” Mitchy wondered. “Tell her--?” “Well, everything. I think, you know,” Mrs. Brook musingly observed, “that it would really serve her right.” Mitchy’s silence, which lasted a minute, seemed to take the idea, but not perhaps quite to know what to do with it. “Ah I’m afraid I shall never really serve her right!” Just as he spoke the butler reappeared; at sight of whom Mrs. Brook immediately guessed. “Mr. Longdon?” “In Mr. Brookenham’s room, ma’am. Mr. Brookenham has gone out.” “And where has he gone?” “I think, ma’am, only for some evening papers.” She had an intense look for Mitchy; then she said to the man: “Ask him to wait three minutes--I’ll ring;” turning again to her visitor as soon as they were alone. “You don’t know how I’m trusting you!” “Trusting me?” “Why, if he comes up to you.” Mitchy thought. “Hadn’t I better go down?” “No--you may have Edward back. If you see him you must see him here. If I don’t myself it’s for a reason.” Mitchy again just sounded her. “His not, as you a while ago hinted--?” “Yes, caring for what I say.” She had a pause, but she brought it out. “He doesn’t believe a word--!” “Of what you tell him?” Mitchy was splendid. “I see. And you want something said to him.” “Yes, that he’ll take from YOU. Only it’s for you,” Mrs. Brook went on, “really and honestly, and as I trust you, to give it. But the comfort of you is that you’ll do so if you promise.” Mitchy was infinitely struck. “But I haven’t promised, eh? Of course I can’t till I know what it is.” “It’s to put before him--!” “Oh I see: the situation.” “What has happened here to-day. Van’s marked retreat and how, with the time that has passed, it makes us at last know where we are. You of course for yourself,” Mrs. Brook wound up, “see that.” “Where we are?” Mitchy took a turn and came back. “But what then did Van come for? If you speak of a retreat there must have been an advance.” “Oh,” said Mrs. Brook, “he simply wanted not to look too brutal. After so much absence he COULD come.” “Well, if he established that he isn’t brutal, where was the retreat?”