"Will you enter?" she said.

As he followed her into the house he spoke.

"It is almost as if you knew."

"I think I do know," she replied.

She led the way into the first room they came to, the dining-room; here the shutters were still closed and it was dark.

"Do you come from my lord, Mr. Harding?" she asked, and faced him quietly.

"Madam, I come from the Earl, from Lyndwood House," he said reluctantly. "And I am a coward before what I have to say."

Susannah raised her hand.

"A moment," she breathed, "give me a moment." She moved towards the window, then checked herself and came back.

"Sit down," she said. "Sit down, sir."