She ran to the window which gave upon it, and, crouching down beside it, listened eagerly.

The clatter of hoofs ceased; the stableman was talking to some one; suddenly she heard the stableman say, "Mrs.Barker is here." Her heart leaped,--Van Loo had returned.
But here the voice of the other man which she had not yet heard arose for the first time clear and distinct.

"Are you quite sure?
I didn't know she left San Francisco." The room reeled around her.

The voice was George Barker's, her husband! "Very well," he continued.

"You needn't put up my horse for the night.