"There's not a moment to lose. Get on your things and clear out."

"But Mrs Hamilton--"

"She's busy for a moment. Slip on something over your dress and join
me outside the drawing-room. If anyone interferes with you, shout."

"But--"

"Do as I tell you. Hang it! I must do something to try and make up
for my blackguard behaviour."

Mavis went from the room, her heart beating with fear of discovery.
For the time being, she had forgotten the insult offered her by the
man she had left: her one thought was to put as great a space as
possible between this accursed house and herself in the least
imaginable time. She scarcely knew what she did. She tore off the
pearls, the head circlet with its shining emerald, bracelets and
other costly gee-gaws, and threw them on the table; she was glad to
be rid of them; their touch meant defilement. She kicked off the
grey slippers, tore off the silk stockings, and substituted for
these her worn, down-at-heel shoes and stockings. There was no time
to change her frock, so she pulled the cloak over her evening
clothes; she meant to return these latter to their owner the first
thing in the morning. She turned her back on the room, that such a
short while back she had looked upon as her own, ran down the stairs
and joined the man, who was impatiently waiting for her on the
landing. Without exchanging a word, they descended to the ground
floor. The front door was in sight and Mavis's heart was beating