She turned her head as if to put away such praise.
“No, dear friend, you mustn’t talk any more to me like this.”
The completion of the sacrifice was attained. They felt its poignancy with an almost physical sensation, and were hushed. An oppressive stillness followed, charged with melancholy. In the midst of it the maid came into the room, which had now grown quite dark. She had some trouble to see where her mistress was, her shadow was so merged in the darkness.
“Miss Margaret,” she said.
“What is it, Melanie?”
“Those gentlemen have come.”
“Oh! Did you show them into the office?”
“Yes, miss.”
“And Mr. Roquevillard has not come in yet?”
“No, miss.”