He could reach his own quarters without entering that sanctum, of course, but as he still held Miss Skeat's arm to steady her to the door, he could not resist the temptation of putting his head through, for he knew now that she must be there.

It was a large sitting-room, extending through the whole beam, with big port-holes on each side.

Miss Skeat entered, and Claudius looked in.
There was Margaret, looking much as usual, her face turned a little from him as she lay in a huge arm-chair.

She could not see him as she was, and his heart beat furiously as he looked at the face he loved best of all others.
Margaret spoke to Miss Skeat without turning her head, for she was working at some of her eternal needlework.
"Have you had a good time?
How did you get down ?" "Such an airing," answered the lady-companion, who was divesting herself of her wraps, "and Dr Claudius--" The last was lost to the Doctor's ear, for he withdrew his head and beat a hasty retreat.

Miss Skeat also stopped speaking suddenly, for as she mentioned his name she looked naturally towards the door, supposing him to be standing there, and she just saw his head disappear from between the curtains.