"One question first, is Richard Jennifer safe?"
"He is."
"Then, by your good leave, I shall do what I came to do."
She bent her head in acquiescence.
"You will find the—the person whom you wish to see in your old room in the north gable. Shall I have Anthony light you up?"
"No; I can find the way."
My hand was on the stair rail when the cruel irony of it struck me like a blow. She had planned the loosing of the bond in the very room where we had knelt to take the good father's blessing upon it.
I stepped back, stumbled, I should say, for a curious weakness had come upon me, and drew her arm in mine.
"We will go together, if you please, my lady. 'Tis only just to me that you should hear what I must say to Father Matthieu."
And so, dear heart! she bore with me to the last; and together we climbed the stair to come into the upper corridor with the room of destiny at its farther end.