He waited for a little, wondering whether she would look up, but she made no movement.

An emerald ring upon her finger caught the light and winked at him maliciously, leering at him, he fancied.

There was nothing more for him to say, and he quietly went out of the room.
The click of the door-handle roused Clarice.

She saw that the room was empty, and, drawing a breath of relief, started out of her chair.
Standing thus she heard Drake's footsteps descending the stairs, and after a pause the slamming of the hall-door.

Then she went to the fireplace and knelt down close to it, warming her hands at the blaze.
'The degradation of it!' she whispered..