Part 74 (2/2)

She found the two men standing together in the studio. Arabian had on his overcoat and gloves, and was holding his hat and umbrella.

”It was only f.a.n.n.y Cronin!” she said.

As she spoke she looked narrowly at Garstin. Could f.a.n.n.y have told him the news? The casual expression on his face set her mind at ease on that point. She was certain that he knew nothing.

”I must go,” she said.

”I will walk with you to a taxi if you kindly allow me,” said Arabian, getting her fur coat.

”Thank you!”

As he stood behind her helping her to get into the coat she was conscious of a strange and terrible feeling of fear mingled with an intense desire to give herself up to the power in this man. Was Craven outside? Something in her hoped, almost prayed, that he might be. It was surely the part of her that was afraid.

”Good-bye, d.i.c.k!” she said in an offhand voice.

”Good-bye!” he said. ”Take care of her, Arabian.”

She sent him a look full of intense and hostile inquiry. He met it with a half-amused smile.

”I shall do better now,” he said.

”Ah?” said Arabian, looking polite and imperturbable.

”Come along!” said Miss Van Tuyn. ”It must be getting late.”

As she spoke a clock in the room began striking five. For a moment she felt confused and almost ill. Her brain seemed too full of rus.h.i.+ng thoughts for its holding capacity. Her head throbbed. Her legs felt weak.

”Anything the matter?” asked Garstin, gazing at her with keen attention and curiosity.

”No,” she said coldly. ”Good-bye.”

And she went down the stairs followed by Arabian.

Garstin did not accompany them. He had gone to stand before his picture of Arabian.

Miss Van Tuyn opened the door. A soft gust of wind blew some small rain into her face.

”Let me hold my umbrella over you, please,” said Arabian. ”Do take my arm while we look for a taxi.”

”No, no!”

She walked on.

”There is nothing the matter, I hope?”

”I had some bad news through the telephone.”

She felt impelled to say this to him, though she had said nothing to Garstin. Her brain still felt horribly overcharged, and an impulse had come to her to seek instant relief.

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