One o'clock struck, and almost instantly she heard his door open. She half rose, then she decided to sit where she was.
Would he never come? ... He was pottering about in the hall! Tapping the glass now! ... How could men be so curious? ... At last the handle turned. What were resolves? She could not help getting up, after all; but he must speak first.
There was no need, really. His set face told her everything. He did not come beyond the door.
"Helena," he said sternly, in a low voice that obviously considered Lily, "I think it'll be better if we don't discuss this matter any further. We may possibly forget. Anyhow, it's no time for childish games. I'd already written, as you suggest to the newspapers. We won't speak of this at all in front of Lily."
It was clearly a message learnt by heart, and with its last word the door shut. He had never let go the handle.
Helena stood gazing after him with a face no less set than his own.
CHAPTER XXIII
SECRET NUMBER TWO
Three days passed, seeming like a year, and everything was just the same. Each felt in the wrong, each had a grievance; and that is fatal for a settlement.