He made an abrupt movement towards her, but she shrank back out of his reach.
“You’ll give me the notes if I come?” she asked rather Wildly. “You’ll play fair, Brett?”
“Yes. I’ll play fair.”
“Then—then—will you go now, please?” She felt as though her strength were deserting her—as though she could bear no more.
He paused, regarding her irresolutely. Then he turned to the door.
“Very well, I’ll go now. The dinghy will be waiting for you at the jetty to-morrow night at nine o’clock.”
The door closed behind him and, left alone, Ann sank down on to the nearest chair, utterly overwhelmed by what had befallen her. An hour ago there had been not a cloud in her sky—the whole of life seemed stretching out before her filled with the promise of love and happiness. And now, with unbelievable suddenness, black and bitter storm-clouds had arisen and covered the entire heavens, till not even a flickering ray of light was visible. She remembered her strange, unconquerable fear of the yacht ... like a sleek cat watching at a mousehole.... Well, the cat had sprung now—leaped suddenly, striking into her very heart with its pitiless claws.
No tears came to her relief. She felt stunned—stunned, and remained limply in her chair, staring with dazed, unseeing eyes into space....
She was still sitting in the same position, gazing blankly in front of her, when Maria threw open the door to admit Mrs. Hilyard.