"I cannot."
"You must. I must speak to you."
"Come down here then. I am not coming up."
She ran down, and felt rather than saw Michael's presence at the foot of the little stair.
He was breathing hard. He did not move towards her.
"You sent for me, so I came," he said. "Tell me quickly what I can do for you, how I can serve you. I cannot remain here more than a moment. I endanger your safety as it is."
It was all so different from what she had expected, from what she had pictured to herself. He was so determined and stern; and it had never struck her as possible that he would not come up to her room, that the interview would be so short.
"I can't speak here," she said, angry tears smarting in her eyes.
"You can and must. Tell me quickly, dearest, why you sent for me. You said it was all-important. I am here, I will do your bidding, if you will only say what it is."
"Take me with you," she gasped inaudibly.