She came up to him and laid her hands upon his shoulders.
“Peter,” she said, “I will tell you something—I must! I am fond of you, Peter. I always have been. Don’t make me miserable if there is no need for it. Tell me honestly—do you really believe in this woman?”
He removed her hands gently, and raised them to his lips.
“My dear girl,” he said, “I believe in every one until I find them out. I look upon suspicion as a vice. But, at the same time,” he added, “there are always certain precautions which one takes.”
“What precautions can you take?” she cried. “Can you sit there and make yourself invisible? John Dory is not a fool. The moment he is in this room with the door closed behind him, it is the end.”
“We must hope not,” Peter Ruff said cheerfully. “There are other things which may happen, you know.”
She turned away from him a little drearily.
“You do not mind if I stay?” she said. “I am not working to-night. Perhaps, later on, I may be of use!”
“As you will,” he answered. “You will excuse me for a little time, won’t you? I have some preparations to make.”
She turned her head away from him. He left the room and ascended the stairs to his own apartments.