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'Suppose he should come in now and seize rees to a definite horror of his presence, and especially of his intense gaze Thus she raised herself to a heat of excite vented in no cry of any kind No; she could not meet Manston's eye alone, she would only see him in her brother's company

Almost delirious with this idea, she ran and locked the door to prevent all possibility of her intentions being nullified, or a look or word being flung at her by anybody whilst she knew not what she was

8 HALF-PAST EIGHT O'CLOCK PM

Then Cytherea felt her way amid the darkness of the room till she came to the head of the bed, where she searched for the bell-rope and gave it a pull Her summons was speedily answered by the landlady herself, whose curiosity to know the s knew no bounds The landlady attempted to turn the handle of the door Cytherea kept the door locked 'Please tell Mr Manston when he comes that I am ill,' she said from the inside, 'and that I cannot see him' 'Certainly I will, madam,' said the landlady 'Won't you have a fire?' 'No, thank you' 'Nor a light?' 'I don't want one, thank you' 'Nor anything?' 'Nothing' The landlady withdrew, thinking her visitor half insane

Manston came in about five -roo to find his wife there He looked round, rang, and was told the words Cytherea had said, that she was too ill to be seen

'She is in number twelve room,' added the maid

Manston was alarmed, and knocked at the door 'Cytherea!' 'I am unwell, I cannot see you,' she said

'Are you seriously ill, dearest? Surely not' 'No, not seriously' 'Let et a doctor' 'No, he can't see me either' 'She won't open the door, sir, not to nobody at all!' said the cha eyes

'Hold your tongue, and be off!' said Manston with a snap

The maid vanished

'Co the doorI cannot comprehend what can be the matter with you

Nor can a doctor either, unless he sees you' Her voice had tre could induce her to co scenes, Manston went back to the sitting-rooreatly irritated and perplexed