Chapter 12

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌⁠On the afternoon of the next day Mr. Torkingham, who occasionally dropped in to see St. Cleeve, called again as usual; after duly remarking on the state of the weather, congratulating him on his sure though slow improvement, and answering his inquiries about the comet, he said, 'You have heard, I suppose, of what has happened to Lady Constantine?'

'No! Nothing serious?'

'Yes, it is serious.' The par