The door of the billiard-room was open, and Lady Angela stood there, the outline of her figure sharply de fined against a flood of light.

She had a cue in her hand, and she looked across at me.
"You are a long time, Mr.Ducaine.I am waiting for you to give me a lesson at billiards." I crossed the hall to her side.
"I thought that as Lord Blenavon had gone out--" She shrugged her shoulders.
"That you would evade your duty, which is clearly to stay and entertain your hostess." She closed the door and glanced at me curiously.
"What has happened to you ?" she asked.

"You look as though you had been with ghosts." "Is it so impossible ?" I asked, moving a little nearer to the huge log fire.

"What company is more terrifying than the company of our dead thoughts and dead hopes and dead memories ?" "Really, I am afraid that Blenavon must have been a very depressing companion!" she said, leaning her elbow upon the broad mantelpiece.
It was absurd! I tried to shake myself free from the miseries of the last hour.
"I am afraid it must have been the other way," I said, "for your brother has gone out." "Yes," she said quietly, "he has gone to that woman at Braster Grange.
I wish I knew what brought her into this part of the country." I looked round at the billiard-table.
"Did you mean that you would like a game ?" I asked.

"I am rather out of practice, but I used to fancy myself a little." "I have no doubt," she answered, sinking into a low chair, "that you are an excellent player, but I am willing to take it for granted.