For the moment, seeing no one, he thought that the room was empty, but, as he was about to leave it, he caught a glimpse of a muslin dress in a corner, and, going nearer, found that it was Violet, and that Violet herself was lying crouched in the semi-darkness as if asleep.
He laid his hand upon her shoulder lightly, and called her.
But the limp figure did not move, and, bending down, he saw that she was not asleep, but in a swoon.
Stepping back to the door, he closed it softly, and sprinkled some water from a caraffe upon her forehead.
It was some moments before Violet's eyes opened, and when they did, it was as if reluctant to return to the consciousness of her position.
Her lips parted slightly, and murmured:
"Leicester! You will not leave me?"
"So," thought the captain, "there has been a scene, and my loving lass has given way. That accounted for the pace at which my Lord Leicester was striding up the cliffs."
Then, aloud, he added: