He opened the letter while he was speaking, and there fell a short
silence while he read. Sylvia took up her duster again. Her hands
were trembling.

In a moment Burke spoke. "Yes, it's from Merston. The poor chap
has had an accident, fallen from his horse and badly wrenched his
back. His overseer is away, and he wants to know if I will go over
and lend a hand. I must go of course." He turned round to her.
"You'll be able to manage for a day or two?"

Her breathing came quickly, nervously. She felt oddly uncertain of
herself, as if she had just come through a crisis that had bereft
her of all her strength,

"Of course," she said, not looking at him. "Of course."

He stood for a moment or two, watching her. Then he moved to her
side.

"I'm leaving you in charge," he said, "But you won't overdo it?
Promise me!"

She laughed a little. The thought of his going was a vast relief
to her at that moment. She yearned to be alone, to readjust her
life somehow before she met him again. She wanted to rebuild her
defences. She wanted to be quite sure of herself.

"Oh, I shall take great care of myself," she said. "I'm very good
at that."