Soon after eleven o'clock two dark figures slipped unostentatiously out of the back door, and a moment later a third followed them. My heart leapt with joy and surprise at the sight of it, and Tiel stopped and turned.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"I'm coming too," said Eileen.
"Why?" he demanded in that tone of his which seemed to call upon the questioned to answer with exceeding accuracy.
"Because I'd like a drive," she answered, with a woman's confidence that her reason is good enough for anybody.
"As you please," he said, drily and with unfathomable calm; and then he turned again, and in a voice that betrayed his interest in her, asked, "What have you got on?"
"Quite enough, thank you."
"You are sure? I've lent my spare coat to Belke, but I can get another rug."
"I am quite sure," she smiled.
More than ever I felt glad I was staying beside her.