In the silence Shackwell started suddenly to his feet. A sound of carriage-wheels had disturbed the quiet street. They paused and then rolled up the semicircle to the door of the Executive Mansion.
"John!" Shackwell warned him.
The Governor turned impatiently; there was the sound of a servant's steps in the hall, followed by the opening and closing of the outer door.
"Your wife—Mrs. Mornway!" Shackwell cried.
Another step, accompanied by a soft rustle of skirts, was advancing toward the library.
"My wife? Let her come!" said the Governor.
V
She stood before them in her bright evening dress, with an arrested brilliancy of aspect like the sparkle of a fountain suddenly caught in ice. Her look moved rapidly from one to the other; then she came forward, while Shackwell slipped behind her to close the door.
"What has happened?" she said.
Shackwell began to speak, but the Governor interposed calmly: