Then above her Hubbard knocked upon a door, a latch clicked as the door was opened, a hollow jarring sound followed as the door was sharply closed.

Stella went back into the room.
The letter had been delivered; at this moment Henry Thresk was reading it; and with a sinking heart she began to speculate in what spirit he would receive its message.

Henry Thresk! The unhappy woman bestirred herself to remember him.

He had grown dim to her of late.

How much did she know of him?
she asked herself.