"No," he rejoined. "Why?"
She descended the stairs as she answered him.
"I saw you standing in the doorway there with your hand on your throat, breathing hard and quick, and altogether a very tragical picture."
Charnock was not aware whether the details were true or not. "Well?" he asked.
"Well," she replied. "Do you remember the afternoon you came here? I was in that lounge chair. You were shown into the parlour. You did not notice me. Neither did Miranda when she followed you. But she stopped on the threshold."
"Yes, I remarked it. She stopped for some while. Well?"
"Well, she stood just as you were standing a minute ago, in that precise attitude, with her hand to her throat, breathing hard and quick, and with a face not less tragical."
Charnock's face now at all events ceased to look tragical. Jane Holt saw it brighten extraordinarily. Miranda, had she been there, would not at this moment have complained of its lack of expression.
"That's true?" he asked eagerly. "What you tell me is true? She stood here, and in that attitude?"
"Yes."