After three days and then after a wait of three more, she revisited the consulate and inquired about her permission for Switzerland; but she got no satisfaction either time. But when at last the week wore out and she met no interference with her ordinary comings and goings, she was beginning to doubt her beliefs that George Byrne lived; he must have died, she thought, and without having been able to communicate his knowledge of her to anyone. Then one night she was returning to the Rue des Saints Pères a little later than usual; the mild, April afternoon had dimmed to twilight and, as she passed the point where George Byrne had encountered her, fears possessed her again; they lessened only to increase once more, as they now had formed a habit of doing, when she approached the pension.
“Letters for me, Fanchette?” she said to the daughter of her landlady who was at the door when Ruth came in.
“No letters, Mademoiselle; but Monsieur le Lieutenant!”
Ruth stopped stark. Many Messieurs les Lieutenants and men of other ranks called at the pension for Milicent or for Ruth, just for an evening’s entertainment; but such did not appear at this hour.
“He is in the salon, Mademoiselle.”
Ruth went in. If it was George Byrne, at least then he was alive and now strong again. The lamp in the little salon had been lit; and a tall, uniformed figure arose from beside it.
“Hello, Cynthia,” a familiar voice greeted. Gerry Hull’s voice!
Ruth retreated a little and held to the door to support her in her relaxation of relief. A hundred times during this terrible week, Ruth had wanted to send for him.
“I’m so glad to see you, Gerry.”
“That’s good.” His tall, lithe self was beside her; his strong, steady fingers grasped her arm and gently supported her when she let go the door. He closed the door and led her to a chair where the light of the lamp would fall full upon her. “Sit down there,” he commanded kindly; and, when she obeyed, he seated himself opposite pulling his chair closer the better to observe her but at the same time bringing himself under the light.