I am rather tired.

Good-night, dear boy! Pleasant dreams! Now, Piet"-- she turned that quivering smile upon her husband, and it was the bravest thing she had ever done--"don't keep me waiting.

Go and get your coat, and be quick about it; or I shall certainly be ready first." He turned away at once, and the incident was over, since by this unexpected move Nan had managed to convey to her too ardent champion that she desired it to be so.
He departed sullenly to the refreshment-room, mystified but obedient and she dived hurriedly into the cloakroom in search of her property.
She found Piet waiting for her when she came out, and she passed forth with him to the waiting motor with a laugh and a jest for the benefit of the onlookers.
But the moment the door closed upon them she fell into silence, drawn back from him as far as possible, her cold hands clenched tight under her cloak.
He did not attempt to speak to her during the quarter of an hour's drive, sitting mutely beside her in statuesque stillness; and it was she who, when he handed her out, broke the silence.
"I have something to say to you." He bent before her stiffly.
"I am at your service." There was something in his words that sounded ironical to her, something that sent the blood to her face in a burning wave.

She turned in silence and ascended the steps in front of him.
She found the door unlocked, but the hall was empty, and lighted only by the great flames that spouted up from the log-fire on the open hearth.
Clearly the rest of the family had retired, and a sudden, sharp suspicion flashed through Nan that her husband had deliberately laid his plans for this private interview with her.
It set her heart pounding again within her, but she braced herself to treat him with a high hand.

He must not, he should not, assume the mastery over her.
Silently she waited as he shut and bolted the great door, and then quietly crossed the shadowy hall to join her.
She had dropped her cloak from her shoulders, and the firelight played ruddily over her dress of shimmering white, revealing her slim young beauty in every delicate detail.