Dick went downstairs again and shutting himself in his office fell to pacing the floor. David was right, the thing was breaking him. Very seriously now he contemplated abandoning the town, taking David with him, and claiming his estate. They could travel then; he could get consultants in Europe; there were baths there, and treatments—
The doorbell rang. He heard Minnie's voice in the hail, not too friendly, and her tap at the door.
“Some one in the waiting-room,” she called.
When he opened the connecting door he found Elizabeth beyond it, a pale and frightened Elizabeth, breathless and very still. It was a perceptible moment before he could control his voice to speak. Then:
“I suppose you want to see David. I'm sorry, but he isn't well to-day. He is still in bed.”
“I didn't come to see David, Dick.”
“I cannot think you want to see me, Elizabeth.”
“I do, if you don't mind.”
He stood aside then and let her pass him into the rear office.
But he was not fooled at all. Not he. He had been enough. He knew why she had come, in the kindness of heart. (She was so little. Good heavens, a man could crush her to nothing!) She had come because she was sorry for him, and she had brought forgiveness. It was like her. It was fine. It was damnable.