He had wondered in what aspect she would appear, she whose nature seemed to him so varied and contradictory, and whose face was the index to these changing phases. She came in quietly, a young girl, pale, inquiring, yet saying no word; but there was a sparkle in her gaze that made the blood leap for a moment to Prescott's face.
"Miss Catherwood," he said, "you forbade me to return here, but I have come nevertheless."
She was still silent, her inquiring look upon him.
"You must leave Richmond to-night!" he said. "There must be no delay."
She made a gesture as if she would call his attention to the frozen world outside and said:
"I am willing enough to leave Richmond if I knew a way."
"I will find the way—I go with you!"
"That I cannot permit; you shall not risk your future by making such an attempt with me."
"It will certainly be risked greatly if I do not make the attempt with you," he replied.
They looked at him in wonder. Prescott saw now, by a sudden intuition, the course of action that would appeal to them most, and he said: