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Rh have to go back to town at once.” He frowned at the telegram ferociously.

"But that’s absurd, impossible," cried Anne. She had been standing by the window talking to Gombauld; but at Denis’s words she came swaying across the room towards him. "It's urgent,” he repeated desperately.

"But you’ve only been here such a short time," Anne protested.

"I know,” he said, utterly miserable. Oh, if only she could understand! Women were supposed to have intuition.

"If he must go, he must," put in Mary firmly.

“Yes, I must.” He looked at the telegram again for inspiration. "You see, it’s urgent family business," he explained.

Priscilla got up from her chair in some excitement. "I had a distinct presentiment of this last night,” she said. “A distinct presentiment."

"A mere coincidence, no doubt," said Mary, brushing Mrs. Wimbush out of the conversation. "There’s a very good train at 3.27." She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. "You’ll have nice time to pack."