Suddenly he paused, hearing with relief the shambling footsteps of the returning _concierge_, a relief rudely dashed with fear of the message she might be bringing.
A quicker figure slipped before the square, slow-moving woman; it was Mary Burne, running down the stairs, dressed to go out.
"I am sorry to have kept you," she said. If she noticed Gano's changed manner, she put it down to anxiety for his friend. "Come, I've brought an umbrella," she said, almost sharply, as Gano stood an instant looking out for a _fiacre_; "it's nearly as quick to walk, and I--I--"
He took the umbrella from her silently, and they hurried on side by side in the rain. Gano, with growing agitation, searched for some way of letting her know that he was in possession of the situation, and meant to remain in possession.
As they turned into the Rue de Provence she stopped, breathless.
"Are you quite sure he wants to see me only for a minute?"
"He understands that just at present I can't sit up with him any more?"
"He doesn't expect you to stay to-night, at any rate," Gano answered, in a determined voice. He began to walk on.
"Mr. Gano." She laid an arresting hand on his arm. He looked down coldly at the white face. "You've shown too plainly in these last weeks to what lengths your friendship for Dick can go. I don't pretend to apologize for asking if you can spare the time to take him away for a few weeks as soon as he gets a little better."
"I've just got some money from the _Semaine_," she went on, "and I can anticipate my next payment. I've told you how I owe it to Mr. Driscoll that I have the money at all. It's his in a sense, anyhow."
"Oh, thank you, thank you. Dick can't say he hasn't got friends. You _are_ good about it." They splashed on a few steps in the downpour, and she slackened her pace again. "But since you are going away alone with him--and, anyhow, I ought to tell you. He's developing a kind of monomania. He doesn't want to live--wants--" Her voice choked.
"You know! He's ventured to say it to you?"
"Then, you see, it's serious." She was clinging to him again. Gano nodded. Before he could help himself he was trying her.
"How can you say that? and say it so--so--"
Indignant tears stood in her upturned eyes, and she took her hands off his arm.