to show me exactly what his range had been, Mrs. Grose,
as I had done for himself just before, came in from the hall.
With this I had the full image of a repetition of what had
already occurred. She saw me as I had seen my own visitant;
she pulled up short as I had done; I gave her something
of the shock that I had received. She turned white,
and this made me ask myself if I had blanched as much.
She stared, in short, and retreated on just MY lines,
and I knew she had then passed out and come round to me
and that I should presently meet her. I remained where I was,
and while I waited I thought of more things than one.
But there's only one I take space to mention. I wondered why
SHE should be scared.



V


Oh, she let me know as soon as, round the corner of the house, she loomed
again into view. "What in the name of goodness is the matter--?"
She was now flushed and out of breath.

I said nothing till she came quite near. "With me?"
I must have made a wonderful face. "Do I show it?"

"You're as white as a sheet. You look awful."

I considered; I could meet on this, without scruple, any innocence.
My need to respect the bloom of Mrs. Grose's had dropped,