The butler closed the door and the Marquis walked towards Hermia. She watched him, her eyes filling her face.
Then, as he reached her, he said,
“You are all right?”
“Y-yes – of course.”
“But you have no wish to see Wilchester! Why?”
She felt his eyes looking at her in the penetrating manner that always made her feel shy and she looked away from him.
Then, as she realised that the Marquis was waiting for an answer to his question, she said,
“I-I thought it was – correct.”
“Is that the only reason?”
As if he compelled her to reply, she said,
“I-I did not – wish to – see him alone.”
“Why not?”
It was difficult to find an answer. Then, as she was silent after a moment, the Marquis said,
“Last night when I returned after you had gone to bed, my sister left me a note to say that Wil
