'Good-night,' she answered, taking his proffered hand.
'I shall go with you,' said Lord Durwent.
The two men walked through the corridors, which were growing quieter as the night advanced, and, with another exchange of farewells, Selwyn went out into the dark.
He was weak from the ordeal through which he had passed, and both his mind and his body were bordering on exhaustion. He called to the sleeping driver, who in turn roused the horse from a similar condition, but just as the wheels grinding on the gravel were opposite him Selwyn heard the door open and the rustle of skirts.
'Austin!' cried Elise, running through the dark.
He almost stumbled as he went towards her, and caught her arms in his hands.
'I didn't want you to go,' she said breathlessly, 'without saying thanks. If Boy-blue had really been shot as they said, I—I'——
She did not finish the sentence, but clasping his hand, pressed it twice to her burning lips.
'Elise,' he cried brokenly—but she had freed herself and was making for the door.
No longer weary, but with every artery of his body on fire with uncontrollable love for her, he intercepted the girl. 'Elise,' he cried, 'I thought I could go from here and carry my heart-hunger with me—but now I can't. I can't do it.'