Those few minutes of waiting seemed
interminable to him. Would the woman come? Was she as anxious to
see him now as she had been in the early morning? Much depended on
her mood, but more on the nature of the errand which had taken her
into his house. If that errand was a vital one, he would soon hear
her steps; indeed, he was hearing her steps now--he was sure of
it. Those of Mrs. Yardley were quicker, shorter, more
businesslike. These, now advancing through the corridor, lingered
as if held back by dread or a fateful indecision.
He would fain hasten them, but discretion forbade.
They faltered, turned, then, in an instant, all hesitation was
lost in purpose and they again advanced this time to the
threshold. Judge Ostrander had just time to brace himself to meet
the unknown, when the door fell back and the woman of the morning
appeared in the opening.
VII
WITH HER VEIL DOWN
On the instant he recognised that no common interview lay before
him. She was still the mysterious stranger, and she still wore her
veil--a fact all the more impressive that it was no longer the
accompaniment of a hat, but flung freely over her bare head. He
frowned as he met her eyes through this disguising gauze. This
attempt at an incognito for which there seemed to be no adequate
reason, had a theatrical look wholly out of keeping with the
situation. But he made no allusion to it, nor was the bow with
which he acknowledged her presence and ushered her into the room,
other than courteous.
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