“Why should I do that, Gloria? I did not know you were coming; you did not know I was here. We have been thrown together for a brief time. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Peyton-Russell knows that we have met before. I have promised to stay over the New Year. John knows I haven’t any particular business interest to call me away. I thought the least conspicuous thing would be to stay. My illness makes it easy for me to stay much in my own rooms. We need not meet often, but if you wish, of course, I can go tomorrow.” There was no trace of bitterness or anger in his voice. He spoke in a cold, casual way as if he were discussing some rather boring detail of business. “I do wish it very much—Prince Aglipogue has asked Angela to announce our engagement tomorrow night. Of course no one but Ruth and Mr. Riordan knows that we have ever met before, but it will be awkward for me, even though you seem to have forgotten everything.” Her voice, as cold as his at the beginning, deepened and trembled on the last words, whether with tears or anger Ruth could not tell. She only knew that both of these people were suffering as only proud people can suffer and she did not want to watch. She tried to slip away, but Gloria’s hand on her arm restrained her. “Really, Gloria, I don’t see why you should announce a thing like that; you might as well make an announcement every time you buy a new frock.” The words could not have cut Gloria more than they did Ruth. Surely this was not the man who not fifteen minutes earlier had told her that he still loved Gloria? If he had hated her he could have said nothing more rude. She felt Gloria’s hand tighten on her arm as if for support. “I will go, then; you need not trouble,” she said in a low voice. “No; forgive me—I will go on the early train.” But already Gloria had turned and was walking away, and Ruth, not knowing what to say, followed, her heart aching for both the woman and the lonely man outside. Gloria did not pause nor look back and Ruth suspected that she dared not turn her face for fear of disclosing tears. The warm air inside made Ruth realize for the first time that, though sheltered, it was very cold outside. She hesitated, wondering whether to follow Gloria or to go back and beg Professor Pendragon not to remain longer out of doors. Gloria decided her by walking steadily forward and turning into her own room, closing the door behind her. He was still sitting where they had left him, staring out into the blue-black sky. Even his hands still clung tightly to the arms of his chair as they had when she had left him. “I’ve just discovered that it’s terrifically cold out here and you ought to come in,” she said, trying to speak as if nothing had happened. “The nurse was to have come out for me a long time ago; I dare say she saw us talking and went back. If you think you could push the chair for me—I haven’t any crutches here—I will go in,” he answered in the same tone.