"I am proud to serve you. I will see what I can do. Will you wait
here for just a few minutes?"

He bowed quietly enough; but he was very restless when once he
found himself alone. Those few minutes of waiting seemed
interminable to him. Would the woman come? Was she as anxious to
see him now as she had been in the early morning? Much depended on
her mood, but more on the nature of the errand which had taken her
into his house. If that errand was a vital one, he would soon hear
her steps; indeed, he was hearing her steps now--he was sure of
it. Those of Mrs. Yardley were quicker, shorter, more
businesslike. These, now advancing through the corridor, lingered
as if held back by dread or a fateful indecision.

He would fain hasten them, but discretion forbade.

They faltered, turned, then, in an instant, all hesitation was
lost in purpose and they again advanced this time to the
threshold. Judge Ostrander had just time to brace himself to meet
the unknown, when the door fell back and the woman of the morning
appeared in the opening.




VII

WITH HER VEIL DOWN