She dared not go to him.
She stood halting at the top.
Ah, now he was moving! She heard his step in the room below, and she was conscious of an instant's wild relief that the suspense was past.
Then panic rushed back upon her, blotting out all else.

She saw his shadow on the stairs, and she cried to him to stop.
"I am coming down to you! Wait for me! Wait!" He stepped back, and she stumbled downwards, nearly falling in her haste.
At the last stair she tripped, recovering herself only by the arm he flung out to catch her.
"I was coming!" she gasped incoherently.

"I would have come before, but the stairs were dark--so dark, and I was frightened!" "There is nothing to frighten you," he said gravely.
"I can't help it!" she wailed like a child.

"Oh, Piet--Piet, be kind to me--just this once--if you can! I--I'm terrified!" He put his arm round her.
"Why ?" he said.
She could not tell him.

But in a vague fashion his arm comforted her; and that also was beyond explanation.
"You are not angry ?" she whispered.
"No," he said.
"You will be," she said, shivering, "when I have told you my decision." "What is your decision ?" he asked.
She did not answer him; she could not.
He moved, and very gently set her free.