'I must. She must hear it soon. Such things must ooze out sooner or later.'
'Then let it be later. Promise me this.'
'No good can come of concealment.'
'Promise me—for a little while, till I give you leave.'
His pleading, handsome face was close to hers. She wondered how she could ever have cared for a creature so weak and pitiful.
'So be it,' she breathed.
'Miss Leon's carriage!' bawled the commissionaire. There was a confusion of rain-beaten umbrellas, gleaming carriage-lamps, zigzag reflections on the black pavements, and clattering omnibuses full inside. But the air was fresh.
'Don't go into the rain, Addie,' said Sidney, pressing forward anxiously. 'You're doing all my work to-night. Hullo! where did you spring from?'
It was Raphael who had elicited the exclamation. He suddenly loomed upon the party, bearing a decrepit, dripping umbrella.
'I thought I should be in time to catch you—and to apologise,' he said, turning to Esther.