As they passed by the open drawing-room
door, the lovely woman who had called herself Lady Etynge stood
near it and watched them with eyes no longer gentle.
"I have something to say to you, Madam," he said; "When I place
this young lady in the hands of her governess, I will come back
and say it."
"Is her governess Fraulein Hirsch?" asked the woman lightly.
"No. She is doubtless on her way back to Berlin--and von Hillern
will follow her."
There was only the first floor flight of stairs now. Robin could
scarcely see her way. But Lord Coombe held her up firmly and, in
a few moments more, the leering footman, grown pale, opened the
large door, they crossed the pavement to the carriage, and she
was helped in and fell, almost insensible, across Mademoiselle
Valle's lap, and was caught in a strong arm which shook as she
did.
"Ma cherie," she heard, "The Good God! Oh, the good--good God!--And
Lord Coombe! Lord Coombe!"
Coombe had gone back to the house. Four men returned with him, two
in plain clothes and two heavily-built policemen. They remained
below, but Coombe went up the staircase with the swift lightness
of a man of thirty.
He merely stood upon the threshold of the drawing-room. This was
what he said, and his face was entirely white his eyes appalling.
"My coming back to speak to you is--superfluous--and the result of
pure fury.
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