Audrey made no answer; she stood with her face turned away and her eyes upon the door, measuring her chances.

If Darden would let her pass, she might reach the stairway and her own room before the trader could enter the house.

There were bolts to its heavy door, and Hugon might do as he had done before, and talk his heart out upon the wrong side of the wood.

Thanks be! lying upon her bed and pressing the pillow over her ears, she did not have to hear.
At the trader's announcement that his present path led past the house, she ceased her stealthy progress toward her own demesne, and waited, with her back to the window, and her eyes upon one long ray of sunshine that struck high against the wall.
"I will come again," said the voice without, and the apparition was gone from the window.

Once more blue sky and rosy bloom spanned the opening, and the sunshine lay in a square upon the floor.