"Time will show, Mr. Hartright," I said--"time will show. I dare
say if we look out for the marriage in the papers we shall not be
far wrong. Excuse my noticing it, but I am sorry to see you not
looking so well as you were when we last met."
A momentary nervous contraction quivered about his lips and eyes,
and made me half reproach myself for having answered him in such a
significantly guarded manner.
"I had no right to ask about her marriage," he said bitterly. "I
must wait to see it in the newspapers like other people. Yes,"--
he went on before I could make any apologies--"I have not been
well lately. I am going to another country to try a change of
scene and occupation. Miss Halcombe has kindly assisted me with
her influence, and my testimonials have been found satisfactory.
It is a long distance off, but I don't care where I go, what the
climate is, or how long I am away." He looked about him while he
said this at the throng of strangers passing us by on either side,
in a strange, suspicious manner, as if he thought that some of
them might be watching us.
"I wish you well through it, and safe back again," I said, and
then added, so as not to keep him altogether at arm's length on
the subject of the Fairlies, "I am going down to Limmeridge to-day
on business.
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