Of this she took absolutely no notice. It would appear that she had not heard his voice. Then Trist moved restlessly. After a moment's hesitation he lifted his arm from the mantelpiece with the apparent intention of going towards her. He even made two or three steps in that direction—steps that were inaudible, for his tread was singularly light. Then the door opened, and Mrs. Wylie came into the room.
'Theo!' said the lady, with rather less surprise than might have been expected.
In a moment she had perceived that there was something wrong. The very atmosphere of the room was tense. These two strong young people had either been quarrelling or making love. Of that Mrs. Wylie was certain. Her entrance had perhaps been malapropos; but she could not go back now. Moreover, she was the sort of woman who never errs in retreating. Her method of fighting the world was from a strong position calmly held, or by a steady sure advance.
'Good-morning, Theo!' she said, with that deliberate cheeriness which is the deepest diplomacy. 'This is an early visit. Have you come to discover the laziness of the land?'
'No,' answered Theo simply.
Then he turned and looked towards Brenda in a way which plainly said that she was expected to come forward into the breach he had effected.
Brenda came. Her face was not so grave as Trist's, but her lips were colourless.
'Theo has come,' she said, 'with bad news. We must telegraph to Alice at once. Alfred Huston had ... an accident last night.'
'What?' inquired Mrs. Wylie, turning to Trist.
'He is dead—he shot himself by accident,' replied the war-correspondent.