As Grace's head sunk on Ransome's shoulder, Jael Dence's eyes closed for the first time.
As Ransome was lifting Grace Carden into the carriage, she said, in a sort of sleepy voice, “Is there no way out of these works but one?”
“Not that I know of; but I will go at once and see. Shall he drive you home?”
“Yes. No—to Dr. Amboyne.”
Dr. Amboyne was gone to Woodbine Villa.
She waited in his study, moving about the room all the time, with her face of marble, and her poor restless hands.
At last the doctor returned: they told him at the door Miss Carden was there; he came in to her with both hands extended, and his face working with emotion.
She fell sobbing into his arms; sobbing, but not a tear.
“Is there any hope?”
“I have one. May he not have left the country in a fit of despair? He often threatened. He talked of going to the United States.”