Then he noticed that the doors into the hall had been pushed open, and that she was moving towards them. And he thought he understood.
"Stand back, men," he barked, so fiercely that they recoiled. "This lady shall speak with me first."
* * * * *
He passed up the hall after her. He was as unhappy as possible. He wondered what she could have to say to him; she must surely understand that no pleading could turn him; he must do his duty. Yet he would certainly do this with as little offence as he could.
"Mistress Manners—" he began.
Then she turned on him again. They were at the further end of the hall, and could speak low without being overheard.
"You must begone again," she whispered. "Oh! you must begone again. You do not understand; you—"
Her eyes still burned with that terrible eloquence; it was as the face of one on the rack.
"Mistress, I cannot begone again. I must do my duty. But I promise you—"
She was close to him, staring into his face; he could feel the heat of her breath on his face.