But he affected not to
see anything, and he went on talking rapidly. "Complete change in the
arrangements at the last minute," he said. "I've just been writing about
it. So--as that's off, I think I shall follow Eldrick's advice, and take
chambers in Barford for a time, and see how things turn out. I'm going
into Barford now, to see Eldrick about all that."
Nesta, who was conscious of her betrayal of more than she cared to show
just then, tried to speak calmly.
"But--isn't it an awful disappointment?" she said. "You were looking
forward so to going there, weren't you?"
"Can't be helped," replied Collingwood. "All these affairs
are--provisional. I thought I'd tell you at once, however--so that
you'll know--if you ever want me--that I shall be somewhere round about.
In fact, as it's quite comfortable there, I shall stop at the inn until
I've got rooms in the town."
Then, not trusting himself to remain longer, he went off to Barford,
certain that he was now definitely pledged in his own mind to Nesta
Mallathorpe, and not much less that when the right time came she would
not be irresponsive to him. And on that, like a cold douche, came the
remembrance of her actual circumstances--she was what Eldrick had said,
one of the wealthiest young women in Yorkshire. The thought of her
riches made Collingwood melancholy for a while--he possessed a curious
sort of pride which made him hate and loathe the notion of being taken
for a fortune-hunter.
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