But the following morning, when he asked her if she would like to leave Silverquay, a look of intense relief overspread her face. "Would it be possible?" she asked on a low, breathless; note of eagerness. Then her face fell. "Oh, but we can't think of it! It's much too good a post for you to throw up." Robin made no answer. But in his own mind he resolved that, if it were possible, he would find some other post--one which, while it would not take him entirely out of reach of the Priory, would yet spare Ann the necessity of ever again meeting Eliot Coventry, or of feeling that they were dependent for their livelihood on the man who, he was instinctively aware, had hurt her in some deep, inmost sanctuary of her womanhood--hurt her so unbearably that she could not bring herself to speak of it. He rode across to Heronsmere as soon as breakfast was over, and it did not require a second glance at Eliot's haggard face to tell him that Ann was not alone in her intensity of suffering. He was appalled at the change which two days had worked in the man before him, and for an instant sheer pity almost quenched the burning intention of his errand. "You wanted to see me, Lovell?" As Eliot turned the grey mask of his face towards him, Robin mentally visioned Ann's own face as he had last seen it, and his heart hardened. "Yes," he said, speaking rather jerkily. "I want to resign my post as your agent." A momentary change of expression showed itself on Eliot's face, fleeting as the passage of a shadow across a pool. "To resign?" he repeated mechanically. "As soon as you can find some one to take my place." Coventry remained silent, his fingers trifling absently with a small silver calendar that stood on his desk, pushing it backwards and forwards. "That's rather a strange request," he said at last. "I don't think so," answered Robin, quietly, looking at him very directly. He returned the glance with grave eyes. "I suppose I understand what you mean," he said slowly. "I suppose you do," returned Robin bluntly. "But we needn't speak of that. I came merely to ask you to accept my resignation." Again Eliot made no immediate response. He was trying to realise it--to visualise the Cottage empty, or occupied by some one who was no more than an ordinary estate agent--just his man of business. To conceive Silverquay void of Ann's presence, know her no longer there, be ignorant of where she was in the big world ... whether well or ill.... He found that the bare idea wrought an exquisite agony within him. It was like probing a raw wound. "No!" He spoke very suddenly, his voice so harsh that it seemed to grate on the quiet of the room. "No. You can't leave, Lovell. Our arrangement was six months' notice on either side. I claim that notice." Robin drew a deep breath. "I hoped you would consent to waive it," he said.