Maud moved towards him, saying:
"Are you ill, Mr. Grey? Are you ill?"
His face was shrivelled and his mouth hung open.
Before Maud could take another step the hand of the old woman was on her shoulder, and the voice of the old woman was in her ear, firm and hard as before:
"Remember your promise! Good-bye."
With erect head, bright eyes, and a quick step, the stranger walked to the door, on the outside of which Grey stood paralysed. He bowed and groaned as she approached, and as she passed him he crouched against the wall.
She swept by him without looking at him, turned the corner of the corridor and passed out of sight.
Maud, transfixed with amazement, stood where the old woman had arrested her.
When the stranger had disappeared, Grey made a prodigious effort, shook himself, assumed a sickly smile, and straightened his figure.
The action of the banker dissolved the stupefaction of the girl, and she moved rapidly towards the door to escape. Just as she reached it the manner of the man suddenly changed. His face became dark and threatening, and he bounded into the doorway, barring the exit and crying: