Her knees would hardly support her, she trembled so, until she was
safe in the big blue motor, which moved off at once. For an awful
moment a hideous sense of terror overcame her, making her cold.
What lay in front of her? What new fate?--and then joy and life
came back. She was going to freedom and love-away from Exminster
and dreary duties--away from Eustace Medlicott, for ever! For, of
course, her uncle and aunt would come round in time, and they
could be happy again with her some day.

When Mrs. Ebley had collected her scattered senses and followed
down the passage only to find Stella out of sight, she was obliged
to retrace her steps and rejoin her husband and Mr. Medlicott, who
were awaiting her at the lift on the other side, the restaurant
end, which was the one they were accustomed to descend by.

"She ran away from me, Erasmus!" the agitated lady cried, "passed
me without a word, and I suppose has gone down the stairs--if we
hasten in the lift we shall catch her yet."

But as they frantically rang the bell and the lift boy did not
come, Eustace Medlicott, with a most unsaintly exclamation,
hastened off by that staircase and arrived in the hall to see the
hated Russian calmly smoking his cigarette and reading an English
paper.

He advanced upon him regardless of the numbers of people beginning
to assemble for tea.

"What have you done with Miss Rawson?" he asked furiously. "She