SCENE III
THE EXPECTED GUEST
He sat very still, and waited.
He had miles to walk before he could reach an inn; but food and a night’s lodging seemed unnecessary considerations in this strange hour.
She had asked him to wait until she should be alone; and he waited.
A motor came to the other side of the house; panted impatiently, for five minutes; then sped away into the distance.
He stood up and looked into the room.
It was empty. Fresh logs had been thrown upon the fire. The door into the hall was shut.
Even as he looked, it opened.
An elderly butler appeared, walked forward into the room, hesitated; then advanced to the garden door, touched a switch, and a couple of hanging lanterns shed a soft light over the veranda. He stood in the doorway, as if momentarily uncertain; then saw the chair and its occupant in the corner on his left, came over to it and delivered his message, in deferential tones, without lifting his eyes.
“Her ladyship bids me say, sir, that dinner will be served in half an hour. If you will follow me, I will show you to your room.”