She paused, caught at the balustrade, then wavered a little; and three solicitous arms in dark cloth and metal buttons were thrust out to support her.

She thanked them, in her soft contralto, gratefully.

The drive through the open air, she assured them, would restore her completely.
But all the while she was thinking how needlessly and blindly and foolishly she had surrendered and lost a fortune.

Her path of escape had been an open one.
* * * * * * "Won't they find out, and everything be known, before we can get to the station ?" she asked, as the fresh night air fanned her throbbing face and brow.
"Of course they will!" said Durkin.

"But we're not going to the station.