“You won’t be warned?”
She would not answer him. Breaking away, she ran out into the high road, where he did not dare to follow her, and returned with rapid steps to the Mill-house.
She got back in time to dress hurriedly for dinner, and scrambled down, very pale and nervous, just as the rest were seated.
Lady Sarah looked curiously at her from time to time across the table, and Rhoda, anxious to escape an interview, ran upstairs as soon as dinner was over.
Ten minutes later, the report of a firearm, and then the agonised shriek of a woman, rang through the house.
Sir Robert rushed from his study into the hall, where he met a frightened housekeeper on the stairs.
“What was that noise?” asked he quickly. “And where did it come from?”
Mrs. Hawkes replied in a trembling voice, as she hurried upstairs,
“It sounds like a shot, sir, and it comes from Miss Pembury’s room.”