I had endured what I could, yes, and as long as I could; for I was persuaded that I could serve her better by leaving her unaided for the moment.

But my limit was reached; I stepped out from behind the chair.

But in an instant I was back again.

Monmouth had paused; in one hand he held Barbara's hand, the other rested on her girdle, but he turned his head and looked at the stairs.

Voices had come from there; he had heard them as I had, as Barbara had.
"You can't pass out," had come in a blustering tone from Carford.
"Stand aside, sir," was the answer in a calm, imperative voice.
Carford hesitated for a single instant, then he seemed to shrink away, making himself small and leaving free passage for a man who came down the steps and walked confidently and briskly across the hall towards where the Duke stood with Barbara.
Above us, at the top of the stairs, there were the sound of voices and the tread of feet.