Then suddenly, with a scream of terror, he lifted the poker Miss Polly had dropped, and flung it over Gabriella's head in the direction of the dressing-table.

At the noise of breaking glass, Gabriella rose from her knees, and said in the hard, quiet voice she had used ever since the first shock of the meeting: "If you are afraid, lock yourself in your room, Miss Polly.

I am going downstairs for Mr.O'Hara." Without waiting for a response, she ran out into the hall and down the staircase, while her eyes clung to the comforting glimmer of light under the drawing-room door.

As her feet touched the lowest step, the door opened quickly, and O'Hara stood on the threshold..