He was looking at his desk and saw that one letter had tumbled from it on to the floor by his chair. He went across and picked it up. It was addressed in a big straggling hand—and had not come by post. He tore it open. It was from Gwendolen Scott. This was why she had come into the library. Without moving from the position where he stood he read it through.
CHAPTER XIII
THE EFFECT OF SUGGESTION
The clock struck midnight, and yet the Warden had not done what he had intended to do before he picked up that letter and read it. He had not gone to bed. He was still in his library, not at his desk, but in a great shabby easy-chair by the fire. He had put the lights out and was smoking in the half-dark.
So deeply absorbed was the Warden in his own thoughts that he did not hear the first knock on the door. But he heard the second knock, which was louder.
"Come in," he called, and he leaned forward in his chair. Who wanted him at such an hour? It would not be any one from the college?
The door opened and Lady Dashwood came in. She was in a dressing-gown.
"You haven't gone to bed," she said.