"I wish you could find out what's troubling your aunt," he said to
Irene, next day. "Something is, and something very serious, though
she won't admit it. I'm really uneasy about her."
Irene tried to win the sufferer's confidence, but without success.
Mrs. Hannaford became irritable, and withdrew as much as possible
from sight.
The girl had her own trouble, and it was one she must needs keep to
herself. She shrank from the next meeting with Arnold Jacks, which
could not long be postponed. It took place three days after her
return, when Arnold and Mrs. Jacks dined in Bryanston Square. John
Jacks was to have come, but excused himself on the plea of
indisposition. As might have been expected of him, Arnold was
absolute discretion; he looked and spoke, perhaps, a trifle more
gaily than usual, but to Irene showed no change of demeanour, and
conversed with her no more than was necessary. Irene felt grateful,
and once more tried to convince herself that she had done nothing
irreparable. In fact, as in assertion, she was free. The future
depended entirely on her own will and pleasure. That her mind was
ceaselessly preoccupied with Arnold could only be deemed natural,
for she had to come to a decision within three or four weeks' time.
But--if necessary the respite should be prolonged.
Eustace Derwent dined with them, and Irene noticed--what had
occurred to her before now--that the young man seemed to have
particular pleasure in the society of Mrs.
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