“Oh, no! They recognise that I am quite able to look after myself.”
“Everard told me I was capable of doing that. And yet at dinner-time to-day I was presented with a red lozenge on a silver salver to take the place of ordinary food.”
“And you accepted it?”
“No, I didn’t. But if you don’t have tea, I’d better leave you.”
“I’ll waive a point to-night. I have had so pleasant a holiday that it is somewhat distasteful to settle down again. Go and remove your hat, and come down.”
But when Rosalie essayed to move towards the staircase she found Mariana gone, and suddenly she stood still.
“Why do you stop?” he asked.
“Oh, I’m frightened! I really am! I dare not go about this place at night by myself. I don’t know how it is, but I dare not.”
“Nothing will hurt you.”
“It’s the shadows and the darkness—and the silence.”