"All that I need now," I answered impatiently, "is your absence."
She rose at once from her chair.
"Very well," she said, "I will go. Only let me warn you that I am a persistent woman. I think that it will not be very long before you will see things differently. Will you shake hands with me, Guy?"
Her small white fingers came hesitatingly out from under her cloak. I did not stop to think to what my action might commit me, whether indeed it was seemly that I should accept any measure of friendship from this woman. I took her hand and held it for a moment in mine.
"You cannot go back alone," I said, doubtfully, as I opened the door.
"I have a servant waiting close by," she answered, "and I am not at all afraid. Think over what I have said to you—and good-bye."
She drew her cloak around her and flitted away into the darkness.
CHAPTER XXVIII
A WOMAN'S TONGUE
Grooton returned a few minutes later from the village. He begged the favour of a few words with me. He was a man of impassive features and singular quietness of demeanour. Yet it was obvious that something had happened to disturb him.