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Rh Then he crossed the pavement.

"You will drive her ladyship to any hotel she wishes," he said to the chauffeur, "and come for orders in the morning. I shall not want you again to-night. Flynn, you will go and see her ladyship safe and then come back here. You can let yourself in with my latch-key."

Edgar went back into the hall. Before long the caretaker came downstairs with a couple of bags. He went out and put them in the car.

"You can go to bed," said Edgar.

But still Lucia did not come, and after a little while he went up to her room. She was standing there with her furs and her hat on, quite still in the centre of the room. All the lights were lit, and they showed the absolute whiteness of her face and its incomparable beauty.

"It is time for you to go," he said, holding the door wide. "You are keeping the men up."

But still she did not move. She raised her face a little, looking steadily at him, and with short, jerky movements she raised her hands also towards him. And then, without warning, his self-control gave way.

"Go, go—you harlot!" he screamed, "or I shall kill you!"

Once, long ago, his love had frightened her; it was his hate that frightened her now. And next moment she was alone in the empty room.