"Thank you, thank you," said Chichester, with quivering lips. "You are very thoughtful, very good."
Malling took his hand in farewell. As he did so there was a sharp knock at the front door. Chichester started violently.
"Oh, I do hope it is no one for me!" he cried out. "I cannot—"
He opened the door of the sitting-room a little way and listened. Voices were audible below, Ellen's voice and another woman's.
"You, ma'am! Oh, of course he will see you!"
"Of course."
"I didn't know who it was, ma'am."
"Is it this way?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll show you. We do feel it, ma'am. The poor gentleman used to come here so often of nights."
"Did he? I didn't know that."