Then there came a rattling noise as he crushed the letter in his
hand.

"Tell me what this means," said he, but he did not turn his head
as he made this request.

"Your father must do that," was her gentle reply. "I was only to
deliver the letter. I came--we came--thus early, because we
thought--we feared we should get no opportunity later to find you
here alone. There seem to be people on the road--whom--whom you
might feel obliged to entertain and as your father cannot wait--"

He had wheeled about. His face confronted hers. It wore a look she
did not understand and which made him seem a stranger to her.
Involuntarily she took a step back.

"I must be going now," said she, and fell--her physical weakness
triumphing at last over her will power.




XXXI

ESCAPE


"Oliver? Where is Oliver?"