But he was not
going to give him any information--either then, or at any time.
"I don't quite know what my arrangements may be," he answered. And just
then they came to the front entrance, and Collingwood was taken off in
one direction by a footman, while Pratt, who already seemed to be fully
acquainted with the house and its arrangements, took himself and his bag
away in another.
Nesta came to Collingwood looking less anxious than when he had left her
at his last call the night before. He had already told her what his
impressions of the inquest were, and he was now wondering whether to
tell her of the things he had heard said at the village inn. But
remembering that he was now going to stay in the neighbourhood, he
decided to say nothing at that time--if there was anything in these
vague feelings and suspicions it would come out, and could be dealt with
when it arose. At present he had need of a little diplomacy.
"Oh!--I wanted to tell you," he said, after talking to her awhile about
Mrs. Mallathorpe. "I--there's a change in my arrangements, I'm not going
to India, after all."
He was not prepared for the sudden flush that came over the girl's face.
It took him aback. It also told him a good deal that he was glad to
know--and it was only by a strong effort of will that he kept himself
from taking her hands and telling her the truth.
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