Victoria did not answer. Mary stood before them, her eyes downcast before the drama. She was waiting for orders.
'Can't you speak?' growled Cairns. 'Who is it?'
Victoria found her voice at last.
'My brother,' she said hoarsely.
Cairns did not say a word. He walked once up and once down the room, stopped before the mirror to settle his tie. Then turned to Mary.
'Tell the gentleman Mrs Ferris can't see him!'
Mary turned to go. There was a sound of footsteps in the dining-room. The button of the door turned twice as if somebody was trying to open it. The door was locked but Cairns almost leaped towards it. Victoria stopped him.
'No,' she said, 'let me have it out. Tell Mr Wren I'm coming, Mary.'
Mary turned away. The incident was fading from her mind as a stone fades away as it falls into an abyss. Victoria clung to Cairns and whispered in his ear.
'Tom, go away, go away. Come back in an hour. I beg you.'