Her white lips convinced Margaret even against her own beliefs; she knew that the girl had not a grain of the coward in her nature.
"I can't wait." And Garda broke from her friend's hold, and ran towards the path and the bend.
Margaret was almost as quick as she was, she stopped her before the bend was reached. But though she stopped her, she felt that she could not detain her for more than an instant; the girl was past restraint now, her eyes had flashed at Margaret's touch.
"Listen, Garda: go back up the path, and meet Dr. Kirby yourself. Tell him anything you like to keep him away from here, while I warn Lucian." The bend was now not more than three yards distant, and, as she spoke, she looked at it, her eyes had a strange expression.
"Will you go to the very house and take him in?" Garda demanded. "Because if you won't do that, I shall go myself."
"Yes, I will take him in."
"And will you stay there?"
"As long as it's necessary."
The implicit confidence which Garda had in her friend's word prevented her from having any misgivings; she turned and ran up the path towards Dr. Kirby, who was still at some distance (for these words and actions of the two women had been breathlessly swift), and who, owing to his near-sightedness, could not yet see her. When she thought he might be able to distinguish her figure she stopped running, and walked forward to meet him with her usual leisurely grace. The running had brought the color to her cheeks, and taken away the unwonted look of fear; all that was left of it was the eager attention with which she listened to what he said.
This was harmless enough. "Ah! you have been out taking the air?" he remarked, pleasantly.