"
"Mrs. Schomberg," Heyst said, surprised.
"Yes. Another one that can't sleep o' nights. Why? Don't you see why?
Because, of course, she sees what's going on. That beast doesn't even
try to keep it from her. If she had only the least bit of spirit! She
knows how I feel, too, only she's too frightened even to look him in the
face, let alone open her mouth. He would tell her to go hang herself."
For some time Heyst said nothing. A public, active contest with the
hotel-keeper was not to be thought of. The idea was horrible. Whispering
gently to the girl, he tried to explain to her that as things stood, an
open withdrawal from the company would be probably opposed. She listened
to his explanation anxiously, from time to time pressing the hand she
had sought and got hold of in the dark.
"As I told you, I am not rich enough to buy you out so I shall steal you
as soon as I can arrange some means of getting away from here. Meantime
it would be fatal to be seen together at night. We mustn't give
ourselves away. We had better part at once. I think I was mistaken just
now; but if, as you say, that poor Mrs. Schomberg can't sleep of nights,
we must be more careful. She would tell the fellow."
The girl had disengaged herself from his loose hold while he talked, and
now stood free of him, but still clasping his hand firmly.
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