She, trembling very much,
did not dare to lift her eyes to watch its effect, but she was
conscious that his back and not his face was turned her way, and
that the moment was the stillest one of her whole life.
Then there came a rattling noise as he crushed the letter in his
hand.
"Tell me what this means," said he, but he did not turn his head
as he made this request.
"Your father must do that," was her gentle reply. "I was only to
deliver the letter. I came--we came--thus early, because we
thought--we feared we should get no opportunity later to find you
here alone. There seem to be people on the road--whom--whom you
might feel obliged to entertain and as your father cannot wait--"
He had wheeled about. His face confronted hers. It wore a look she
did not understand and which made him seem a stranger to her.
Involuntarily she took a step back.
"I must be going now," said she, and fell--her physical weakness
triumphing at last over her will power.
XXXI
ESCAPE
"Oliver? Where is Oliver?"
These were Reuther's first words, as, coming to herself, she
perceived Mr. Black bending helplessly over her.
The answer was brief, almost indifferent. Alanson Black was
cursing himself for allowing her to come to this house alone.
"He was here a moment ago. When he saw you begin to give signs of
life, he slid out. How do you feel, my--my dear? What will your
mother say?"
"But Oliver?" She was on her feet now; she had been lying on some
sort of couch.
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