gone down
there with her handkerchief pressed to lips, its fragrance mingling with
the scent of mint and thyme. Gone down there with such a wild, exquisite
pain in his heart that he could have cried out among the trees. Or what,
indeed, the fellow had done. In fact, till he came to Timothy's, Swithin
had forgotten all about him.

CHAPTER IV

JAMES GOES TO SEE FOR HIMSELF

Those ignorant of Forsyte 'Change would not, perhaps, foresee all the
stir made by Irene's visit to the house.

After Swithin had related at Timothy's the full story of his memorable
drive, the same, with the least suspicion of curiosity, the merest touch
of malice, and a real desire to do good, was passed on to June.

"And what a dreadful thing to say, my dear!" ended Aunt Juley; "that
about not going home. What did she mean?"

It was a strange recital for the girl. She heard it flushing painfully,
and, suddenly, with a curt handshake, took her departure.

"Almost rude!" Mrs. Small said to Aunt Hester, when June was gone.

The proper construction was put on her reception of the news. She was
upset. Something was therefore very wrong. Odd! She and Irene had been
such friends!

It all tallied too well with whispers and hints that had been going about
for some time past. Recollections of Euphemia's account of the visit to
the theatre--Mr. Bosinney always at Soames's? Oh, indeed! Yes, of
course, he would be about the house! Nothing open. Only upon the
greatest, the most important provocation was it necessary to say anything
open on Forsyte 'Change. This machine was too nicely adjusted; a hint,
the merest trifling expression of regret or doubt, sufficed to set the
family soul so sympathetic--vibrating. No one desired that harm should
come of these vibrations--far from it; they were set in motion with the
best intentions, with the feeling, that each member of the family had a
stake in the family soul.

And much kindness lay at the bottom of the gossip; it would frequently
result in visits of condolence being made, in accordance with the customs
of Society, thereby conferring a real benefit upon the sufferers, and
affording consolation to the sound, who felt pleasantly that someone at
all events was suffering from that from which they themselves were not
suffering. In fact, it was simply a desire to keep things well-aired,
the desire which animates the Public Press, that brought James, for
instance, into communication with