“You wanted to see me?” he said.
At the sound of his voice, the figure rose, stood poised breathless, and he saw that it was not Nina.
“I?” Jane’s voice answered.
He stopped and the cigarette slipped from his fingers.
“I—I beg pardon. I was told that——”
“That I wanted to see you?” she broke in scornfully.
“No. Not you—” he replied, still puzzled.
“There has been a mistake, Mr. Gallatin. I do not want to see you. If you’ll excuse me——”
She made a movement to go, but Gallatin stood in the aperture, the only avenue of escape, and did not move. His hands were at his sides, his head bent forward, his eyes gazing into the pool.
“Wait—” he muttered, as though to himself. “Don’t go yet. I’ve something to say—just a word—it will not take a moment. Will you listen?”