She herself became suddenly serious. She looked straight ahead down the darkening lane. Fate could surely not play her a trick so scurvy as this. It could not be that she cared. Her hands were suddenly clenched; a little cry broke from her lips. Her heart was beating like a girl's; the delicious thrill of youth seemed to be thawing her long frozen blood. Not again! she prayed, not again! It was a catastrophe this; grotesque, impossible! She thrust out her hands, as though to guard herself from some impending danger. Macheson turned to look at her in surprise, and her eyes were glowing like stars.
"A memory," she answered, "a superstition if you like. Some one was walking over the grave of my forgotten days."
She pointed to the front of the low white house, now only a few yards away. A dogcart stood there waiting, with some luggage at the back. Stephen Hurd himself, dressed for travelling, was standing in the doorway.
"We seem to be just in time, Mr. Hurd," Wilhelmina said. "Do you mind coming back for a moment into your study? Mr. Macheson and I have something to say to you."
He glanced at his watch. He was wholly unable to conceal his annoyance at their appearance.
"I am afraid," he said, with strained civility, "that I can only spare a couple of minutes."
"You are going to town?" she asked, as he reluctantly followed her.
"Yes!" he answered. "Mr. White wished to see me early to-morrow morning about the new leases, and I have to go before the committee about this Loughborough water scheme."
"These are my affairs," she said, "so if you should miss your train, the responsibility will be mine."
"I can spare five minutes," he answered, "but I cannot miss that train. I have some private engagements. And, madam," he continued, struggling with his anger, "I beg that you will not forget that even if I am in your employ, this is my house, and I will not have that man in it!"
He pointed to Macheson, who was standing upon the threshold. Wilhelmina stood between the two.
"Mr. Hurd," she said, "please control yourself. There is no reason why we should any of us quarrel. Mr. Macheson and I are here to speak to you of a matter in which he has become concerned. I asked him to come here with me. We have come to see you about Letty!"