Then she was aware of people, dim shapes in the darkness--of a dog barking--of voices, a quick movement in the dusk--of a woman's startled exclamation.
Suddenly she heard Neville's voice--and a door opened, flooding her with yellow light where she stood swaying, dazed, deathly pale.
"Louis!" she said.
He sprang to her, caught her in his arms "Good God! What is the matter ?" She rested against him, her eyes listlessly watching the people swiftly gathering in the dazzling light.
"Where in the world--how did you get here!--where have you been--" His stammered words made him incoherent as he caught sight of the mud and dust on her torn waist and skirt.
Her eyes had closed a moment; they opened now with an effort.

Once more she looked blindly at the people clustering around her--recognised his sister and Stephanie--divined that it was his mother who stood gazing at her in pallid consternation--summoned every atom of her courage to spare him the insult which a man's world had offered to her--found strength to ignore it so that no shadow of the outrage should fall through her upon him or upon those nearest to him.
"I lost my way," she said.

Her white lips tried to smile; she strove to stand upright, alone; caught mechanically at his arm, the fixed smile still stamped on her lips.

"I am sorry to--disturb anybody....

I was lost--and it grew dark....