Mrs. Thomas tapped and entered.
“Her ladyship asks for you, Sir Nigel. She is alone.”
“Shew me her room, Mary,” he said; but, in the same moment, turning from her, walked across the room, drew back a curtain and found the door of communication behind it. He opened it. Double doors. Yes, of course. She had liked the absolute security of double doors to their own room.
One moment he waited, took a deep breath, laid firm hold upon himself; then opened the door, and passed into the quiet room beyond.
SCENE XIII
“NEVERTHELESS——”
She lay upon the couch, near the open window, very white and still.
She was gazing out across the sea; but, as he closed the door, she turned her eyes and watched him, while he walked over to the couch; and those patient eyes were so full of unutterable love and longing, that his throat closed on the words he had meant to say.
He knelt down beside her, took both her hands in his, and laid his lips upon them.
“Miriam! Miriam!”
“Nigel, you do remember?”