Part 27 (2/2)
”You'd best come along if you're going to dress.”
”I'll be up in a moment,” she said.
When he was gone she went over to the window.
She stood there gazing out into the darkened quiet side-street. She was trembling in every limb. Now and again she would half turn. Her eyes would go slowly, warily toward the portrait hanging there over the mantel and then they would hurry away again.
She started nervously when the butler knocked at the door.
”What is it, Williams?”
”Mr. Drare's housekeeper, ma'am. She'd like to see you, ma'am. I said I'd ask.”
”Show her in here, Williams.”
The man left the room.
She walked over to the farther corner of the room and switched on the lights.
She heard footsteps in the hall.
She stood quite still; waiting.
Footsteps--Nearer--
A middle-aged woman very plainly dressed was in the doorway.
”Miss Genevieve--”
”Nannie!”
”Miss Genevieve. I wouldn't have come; only I've got to tell you.”
”What, Nannie? Come and sit down, Nannie.”
The woman came into the room. For a second she paused, and then hurriedly she closed the door behind her.
”No, Miss Genevieve. I'll not sit down. Thank you. I can't be staying long. He might want me. I wouldn't like him to know I was here.”
The muscles on either side of Genevieve Evans' mouth pulled and twitched.
”So? You're frightened too, Nannie!”
She said the words to herself.
The woman heard her.
”That I am, Miss. And that I've got good reason to be; the same as you, my poor Miss Genevieve.”
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