She had no thought for anything, so strong, so imperative had been the wordless summons.
Then, as she drew to the door, softly, for fear of waking my lady, a man moved from out the shadow on the opposite side of the street and crossed towards her.
Miss Chressham paused. It was Mr. Harding, one of my lord's friends.
She noted, with no surprise but with a sense of horror confirmed, his dishevelled appearance, his haggard, tired face.
Fixing his eyes on her, he raised his hat, with an air of astonishment.
"Do you come from my cousin?" she asked.
He hesitated, staring.
"I have come to see you or the Countess," he answered gravely.
She held open the door.