of him, her hand on the door-bolt, and they stood for a
second without speaking.

"Have you seen Effie?" she suddenly asked. "She went out to
meet you."

"She DID meet me, just now, in the court. She's gone on
to join her brother."

Darrow spoke as naturally as he could, but his voice sounded
to his own ears like an amateur actor's in a "light" part.

Miss Viner, without answering, drew back the bolt. He
watched her in silence as the door swung open; then he said:
"She has her
nurse with her. She won't be long."

She stood irresolute, and he added: "I was writing in there
--won't you come and have a little talk? Every one's out."

The last words struck him as not well-chosen, but there was
no time to choose. She paused a second longer and then
crossed the threshold of the study. At luncheon she had sat
with her back to the window, and beyond noting that she had
grown a little thinner, and had less colour and vivacity, he
had seen no change in her; but now, as the lamplight fell on
her face, its whiteness startled him.

"Poor thing...poor thing...what in heaven's name can she
suppose?" he wondered.