However, the time was not long to wait. His way homeward would lie within a stone’s-throw of the manor-house, and though for certain reasons she had forbidden him to call at the late hour of his arrival, she could easily intercept him in the avenue. At twenty minutes past ten she went out into the drive, and stood in the dark. Seven minutes later she heard his footstep, and saw his outline in the slit of light between the avenue-trees. He had a valise in one hand, a great-coat on his arm, and under his arm a parcel which seemed to be very precious, from the manner in which he held it.
‘Lady Constantine?’ he asked softly.
‘Yes,’ she said, in her excitement holding out both her hands, though he had plainly not expected her to offer one.
‘Did you watch the star?’
‘I’ll tell you everything in detail; but, pray, your errand first!’
‘Yes, it’s all right. Did you watch every night, not missing one?’
‘I forgot to go—twice,’ she murmured contritely.
‘Oh, Lady Constantine!’ he cried in dismay. ‘How could you serve me so! what shall I do?’
‘Please forgive me! Indeed, I could not help it. I had watched and watched, and nothing happened; and somehow my vigilance relaxed when I found nothing was likely to take place in the star.’
‘But the very circumstance of it not having happened, made it all the more likely every day.’