With the worn, hopeless look upon his face which makes my heart ache so. Do you guess why the poor boy is out and about from morning till night? HUGH MURRAY. Do I guess? LESLIE. Ah, you _do_ guess. You know that my brother is searching for Janet Preece. HUGH MURRAY. Something of the kind has crossed my mind. Why does he look for her here? LESLIE. He ascertained that she left Florence before we hurried out of that dreadful city; but she has not returned to her home in the country, and so he prays that the whirlpool has drawn her to London again and that he may find her. HUGH MURRAY. Does he confide in you? LESLIE. No, poor fellow--but I know, I know, I know. Oh, it’s horrible that he can’t forget her--horrible! HUGH MURRAY. Hush! you must try not to think. LESLIE. I do try--I do try. How long have my brother and I been here? I can’t reckon. HUGH MURRAY. You left Florence ten days ago; you’ve been sharing an old bachelor’s solitude almost a week. LESLIE. Dear friend, your solitude must be far better than such dismal company. HUGH MURRAY. Better! No. LESLIE. Ah, yes. I wanted Wilfrid to be with me when I told you--but, I leave you early to-morrow. HUGH MURRAY. To-morrow! LESLIE. Yes. I’ve written to my old schoolmistress at Helmstead begging her to take me again--not to learn; I’ve nothing more to learn! But I want to sit amongst the girls again, to walk with them, and to run down to the brook with my hands in theirs as I did--only six weeks ago. Only six weeks ago. HUGH MURRAY. And Wilfrid? LESLIE. Wilfrid has promised to visit me very often, as he used to. So everything will be as it was--just as it was. HUGH MURRAY. I knew you could not remain in this dreary hotel, but still--why so suddenly? LESLIE. Because I’ve been thinking that if _he_ should try to see me--you know whom I mean? HUGH MURRAY. Yes. LESLIE. If he should try to see me again it is to you he would first come to ascertain my whereabouts. HUGH MURRAY. And surely you would grant him an interview? LESLIE. Not yet! I’m not cruel--I used not to be cruel--only I’m not ready to meet him yet. HUGH MURRAY. When will you be prepared to meet him? LESLIE. How can I tell? I am like a dead woman dreaming after death. What good would it do him to look upon a soulless woman! HUGH MURRAY. Is there no hope left for him? LESLIE. Yes, a miracle--when there is hope for me. [_WILFRID enters, looking very weary and careworn._] LESLIE. Wilfrid dear. WILFRID BRUDENELL. Well, Les. [_He kisses her listlessly._] HUGH MURRAY. You look fagged, my boy. WILFRID BRUDENELL. Hallo, Murray. I am a bit done to-night. HUGH MURRAY. Walking? WILFRID BRUDENELL.