I can see that you are dying to get rid of me now, but you were glad enough to see me, or at any rate you pretended to be, once." My breath was a little taken away.

I looked at her in surprise.

Her cheeks were flushed, her voice had shaken with something more like anger than any form of pathos.

I was at a loss how to answer her, and while I hesitated the interruption which I had been praying for came, though from a strange quarter.

My door was pushed a few inches open, and I heard Lady Angela's clear young voice.
"Are you there, Mr.Ducaine?
May I come in ?" Before I could answer she stood upon the threshold, I saw the delightful little smile fade from her lips as she looked in.