The mere sound of a human voice had become an unendurable thing.

She hardly knew indeed that Durrance was speaking, she was only aware that a voice spoke, and that the voice must stop.

She was close by the window; a single silent step, and she was across the sill and free.

Durrance continued to speak out of the darkness, engrossed in what he said, and Ethne did not listen to a word.

She gathered her skirts carefully, so that they should not rustle, and stepped from the window.