On the following day Dudleigh came, looking as calm and as unruffled as usual.
"Barber has gone back," said he. "I knew before what he was going to tell you. I had not the heart to tell you myself, or even to be here when he was telling you."
"It might have saved me some disappointment if _you_ had told me."
"But the disappointment would have been as great, and I had not the heart to inflict sorrow myself upon _you_! I know, after Barber had explained it to me, how I felt; and I can form some idea of the nature of your feelings."
"So there is nothing to be done," said Edith, with a sigh.
"Pardon me, there is very much indeed to be done, though whether it will result in any thing remains to be seen."
"Do? Why, as Barber said, hunt up Sir Lionel."
"By searching, of course. And that is what I have come about now."
"No, nothing. I merely came to make a proposal."
"What is it?" asked Edith, languidly; for now there seemed no chance for any thing.
"It is this," said Dudleigh. "I propose, if you will allow me, to go myself."
"You!" exclaimed Edith, in great surprise.
"But can you obtain leave to go? You have to go abroad, won't you?"
"Oh yes. I can get leave of absence for as long a time as will be needed for that, I think, without difficulty. In fact, before leaving London, as soon as I heard Barber's opinion, I put in my request at once for two months' leave, and I have every reason to believe that they will allow it. I have one or two influential friends, you know."
"And will you really go? asked Edith, in tones of deep feeling, with all her gratitude evident in her tone and expression.
"I?--allow you? I am only too glad to have a friend who is willing to undertake such a thing for me in my distress."
"There is nothing, Miss Dalton, which I would not undertake for you."
"You are overwhelming me with obligations," said Edith. "What you have already done is more than I can ever repay."
"Do not speak of obligations," said Dudleigh, earnestly. "My best reward is the thought that I may have given you even a temporary relief."
"You have given me much happiness," said Edith, earnestly; "and if it proves to be only temporary it will not be your fault. You overwhelm me with a sense of obligation."