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III]

[Crumples together the paper in her hands, breathlessly.] My God! What is it? Tell me.

[Observing her.] Why does that upset you so much?

[Sinking back, with a forced laugh.] Yes, of course, it is very foolish of me. My nerves are all upset. I slept very badly, too. That is why I got up so early. But tell me what was it then?

Only the noise of his valise being pulled along the floor. Then I heard him walking about his room, whistling softly. And then locking it and strapping it.

He is going away!

That was what alarmed me. I feared he had had a quarrel with Mr Rowan and that his article was an attack.

But why should they quarrel? Have you noticed anything between them?

I thought I did. A coldness.

Lately?

For some time past.