She heard the servant going past the door to answer the bell and, after an interval, she knew some one was coming across the hall.
XIX
She had not regained control of herself when Charter entered the room but she turned and faced him with something as near a greeting as she was able to achieve. It was almost a shock to her to see him looking so splendidly well and strong and fearless after that other look that haunted her in the eyes of the man she had married.
"I thought Belhaven was here," he said abruptly. "I told him I was coming but your man says he's gone over to Astry's already."
"Johnstone came for him," she managed to say. "I—aren't you going too?"
"I suppose I've got to. I promised because I thought I'd see you there. I didn't want to come here; you see, I've told him."
Rachel colored. "You told—Belhaven?"
"That I loved you and I wouldn't let him keep you here like this."
She sank into the nearest chair, looking at him weakly. "Oh, John!"
"Well, it's true, isn't it? You wouldn't want me to sneak into the house without his knowing it?"