She commanded herself with an effort and finished her dressing.

She did not dare to look at the portrait again, but hid it deep in her trunk.
Mary Ann seemed to have forsaken her, and she was in some uncertainty as to how to proceed when she was at length ready to leave her room.

She did not want to intrude upon Burke and his visitor, but a great longing to breathe the air of the _veldt_ was upon her.

She wondered if she could possibly escape unseen.
Finally, she ventured out into the passage, and followed it to an open door that seemed to lead whither she desired to go.

She fancied that it was out of sight of the two men on the _stoep_, but as she reached it, she realized her mistake.