As he drew near to his lodgings, some one hastened towards him with both hands held out.

It was Maud Enderby.
"Oh, I have waited so long! I wanted to see you to-night." She was exhausted with fatigue and distress, and still held his hands, as if needing their support.

To Waymark, in his then state of mind, she came like an apparition.

He could only look at her in astonishment.
"Last night," she said, "I had a telegram from father.

He told me to come back at once; he had had to leave, and mother was alone.