"It must be as he wishes, Mr. Bastable. What do you wish?" she asked him.
"I shall come for you at seven o'clock." I gave a start at this, and he turned on me sharply. "No, I shan't be fool enough to enter the house, thank you. I shall wait for you in the carriage, Althea; and if a single soul except you attempts to leave at the same time, there'll be trouble. That's all."
"A very gallant groom," I sneered. But Althea interposed with a gesture of protest. "There are some hours of grace yet," I muttered.
"And the house will be carefully watched all through those hours. Don't forget that. I shan't run any risks. I shall be here at seven then," he added to Althea, and moved toward the door.
I started as if to follow him, but he stopped me. I believe he was afraid I should shoot him.
"You stop here, thank you. I can find my way out as I found it in."
I fell back a step as if frightened, and he left us.
"Oh, Mr. Bastable," cried Althea, the instant his back was turned, almost overcome by the scene.
I put my fingers to my lips, I thought he might linger a while to listen.
"He has us at every turn. My God, I shall go mad, I believe," I cried in a voice loud enough to reach him if he were there; and I thought I could catch the sound of a chuckle outside.