She had released the blind-cord, and was plucking at it mechanically, with fingers that trembled.
Suddenly the blast of a siren from a vessel in mid-stream shattered the stillness.

The girl at the window quivered from head to foot as if it had pierced her.

And then with a sharp movement she turned.
"Mr.Field!" she said, and stopped.
He waited with absolute composure.
She made a small but desperate gesture--the gesture of a creature trapped and helpless.
"I--will do it!" she said in a voice that was barely audible.

"But if--if you ever come--to repent--don't blame me!" "I shall not repent," he said.
She passed on rapidly.
"And--you will do your best--to save--Burleigh Wentworth ?" "I will save him," said Field.
She paused a moment; then moved towards him, as if compelled against her will.
He put the cloak around her shoulders, and then, as she fumbled with it uncertainly, he fastened it himself.
"Your veil ?" he said.
She made a blind movement.

Her self-control was nearly gone.