There was still a light in the hall, but the quietness of the house reassured her.

On turning an angle of the stairs, however, she saw that the door of the drawing-room was open, and that just within stood two figures--her mother and Mr.Rudge.
They seemed to be whispering together, and in the same moment their lips met.

Then the man came out and went downstairs.

Mrs.Enderby turned back into the drawing-room.
Maud stood fixed to the spot.

Darkness had closed in around her, and she clung to the banisters to save herself from the gulf which seemed to yawn before her feet.