She answered; and a moment later the door was opened with a confused sound of shooting bolts.
Milbanke's appearance was slightly grotesque, as the opened door disclosed him, silhouetted against the lighted room. He was garbed in a loose dressing-gown; his scanty hair was disarranged; and there was an expression of alarm on his puckered face. But for once Clodagh was blind to these things. With a swift movement she entered the room, and closing the door, stood leaning against it.
"James," she said breathlessly, "you finished your business with Mr. Barnard to-day, didn't you?"
Milbanke, suddenly conscious of her white face, began to stammer.
"Clodagh! my dear—my dear——"
But Clodagh waved his anxiety aside.
"Tell me!" she said. "It's finished, isn't it?"
"Yes!—yes! But, my dear——"
She threw out her hands in a sudden, vehement gesture.
"Then take me away!" she cried—"take me away! Let us go in the morning, by the very first train—before any one is up."