What was she to do?
So helpless, so unprotected; so absolutely at his mercy because she loved the children. "Never let him blackmail you," Peter had said. "Stand up to him always, and he'll probably crumple up."
Suddenly, as though someone had opened shutters in a pitch-dark room, letting in the blessed light, Jan remembered there was also a letter from Peter.
She crossed the hall to get it, though her legs shook under her and her knees were as water.
She felt she couldn't get back to the window-seat, so she sat on the edge of the gate-table and opened the letter.
A very short letter, only one side of a page.
"Dear Miss Ross,
"This is the last mail for a bit, for I come myself by the next, the Macedonia. You may catch me at Aden, but certainly a note will get me at Marseilles, if you are kind enough to write. Tancred has been back in Bombay and gone again in one of the smaller home-going boats. Where he got the money to go I can't think, for from many sources lately I've heard that his various ventures have been far from prosperous, and no one will trust him with a rupee.
"So look out for blackmail, and be firm, mind.
"I go to my aunt in Artillery Mansions on arrival. When may I run down to see you all?