The little buhl clock chimed nine in silver tones. He went softly to the door to prevent Grover from coming in and awakening her abruptly. As he opened it, Hemming was approaching with a telegram upon a tray. He took it, and as he read his eyes lit with a gleam of satisfaction.
Is Virginia with you? She left Worthing this morning.
Making a sign to Hemming not to disturb Mrs. Gaunt, he went over to the writing-table and wrote:
Virginia came home to-day, as previously arranged. Seems very well.
As Hemming took the message and departed, Grover came along the passage. Gaunt admitted her, with a shy smile.
"I have played her to sleep," he said. "It seems a shame to disturb her."
Grover went and stooped over Virginia, then raised her eyes to the husband's face.
"Spite of that tiresome chill, she looks a deal stronger, doesn't she, sir?" she asked in hushed accents.
He nodded, beckoning her to come to him at some distance, that their lowered tones might not disturb the sleeper. "Grover, is it true, for a fact, that Mrs. Mynors kept back a letter from Mrs. Gaunt to me?"
"I can't swear to it, sir, not what they'd take in a court of justice, I suppose; but I'll tell you what happened about it." She related the circumstances, and then asked whether he had, in fact, received the letter. When she heard that he had not, she looked triumphant, but she looked troubled too.