Maude had time to fold the letter, put it back, lock the
cabinet, and escape. Had she been a nervous woman, given to being
flurried and to losing her presence of mind, she might not have
succeeded; but she was cool and quick in emergency, her brain and fingers
steady.
Nevertheless her heart beat a little as she stood within the other room,
the door not latched behind her. She did not stir, lest he should hear
her; and she hoped to remain unseen until he went down again. A ready
excuse was on her lips, if he happened to look in, which was not
probable: that she fancied she heard baby cry, and was listening.
Lord Hartledon was walking about his dressing-room, pacing it restlessly,
and she very distinctly heard suppressed groans of mortal anguish
breaking from his lips. How he had got rid of his visitor, and what
the visitor came for, she knew not. He seemed to halt before the
washhand-stand, pour out some water, and dash his face into it.
"God help me! God help Maude!" he ejaculated, as he went down again to
the drawing-room.
And Lady Hartledon went down also, for the interruption had frightened
her, and she did not attempt to open the cabinet again. She never knew
more of the contents of Mr. Carr's letter; and only the substance of the
other, as communicated to her by her husband.
CHAPTER XXIX.
CROSS-QUESTIONING MR. CARR.
Not until the Sunday morning did Lady Hartledon speak to her husband of
the stranger's visit.
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