words: "Yes, please, come."

She tore it across and wrote the words: "No, I shall not be at liberty."

She closed them in an envelope and addressed them. Then she rolled up the
manuscript on the table and rang the bell. She gave it to the servant.
"Tell the boy to give this to his master, and say the article ends rather
abruptly; they must state it is to be continued; I will finish it tomorrow.
As he passes No. 20 let him leave this note there."

The servant went out. She walked up and down with her hands folded above
her head.

...

Two months after, the older woman stood before the fire. The door opened
suddenly, and the younger woman came in.

"I had to come--I couldn't wait. You have heard, he was married this
morning? Oh, do you think it is true? Do help me!" She put out her
hands.

"Sit down. Yes, it is quite true."

"Oh, it is so terrible, and I didn't know anything! Did you ever say
anything to him?" She caught the woman's hands.

"I never saw him again after the day you were here,--so I could not speak
to him,--but I did what I could." She stood looking passively into the
fire.