"Have you breakfasted yourself?"
"I? No, madam. But I beg you will not—"
"I'll bring coffee and toast enough for both of you."
"Please—"
"It is no trouble."
"I will come back and fetch Mr. Heath's breakfast, madam. Afterward, if I may have a snack here in the kitchen, I shall be grateful."
"Any way that you prefer."
Marcia saw rather than heard the stranger mount the staircase.
His step was like velvet. So noiseless was it, it made not a sound either on the broad creaking staircase, or on the floor overhead.