Part 96 (2/2)
”You have given me quite a turn, as the servants say!” he exclaimed, coming up to her. ”What is the matter? Are you ill?”
He looked anxiously at her.
”What made you go away so suddenly? You didn't mind my--”
”No, no!” she interrupted. ”But I do feel unwell. I feel very unwell.”
”I'm most awfully sorry! Why didn't you tell me? Why did you let me leave you?”
”Beryl wanted you.”
”It was only--she only wanted to suggest our all having coffee together.”
Her mouth went awry.
”Oh, do take my arm!” he exclaimed. ”What is it? Are you suffering?”
After a pause she said:
”Yes.”
There seemed to him something ominous in the sound of the word as she spoke it.
”I'm horribly sorry. I must find you a cab.”
”Yes, please do.”
”But in Soho, it's so difficult! Can you manage--can you walk a little way?”
”Oh yes.”
”Directly we get into Shaftesbury Avenue we are sure to see one. It's only a step.”
She had taken his arm, but she did not lean heavily on it, only just touched it. He hardly felt the weight of her hand. Evidently she was not feeling faint, or very weak. He wondered intensely what was the matter.
But she did not give any explanation. She had made that ominous answer to his question, and there she left it. He did not dare to make any further inquiry, and as she said nothing they walked on in silence. As they were turning into Shaftesbury Avenue an empty taxicab pa.s.sed them with the flag up.
”There's a taxi!” said Craven. ”One minute!”
He let her arm go and ran after it, while she stood waiting at the corner. In a moment he came back followed by the cab, which drew up by the kerb. He opened the door and she got in. He was preparing to follow her when she leaned forward and put her hand on the door.
”Mayn't I? Don't you wish me to come with you?”
She shook her head.
”But do let me see you home. If you are ill you really oughtn't to be alone.”
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