Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/182

168 "To cover Jean."

Dennis took it in. "But if she is covered?"

"Then to shield Miss Armiger."

Poor Dennis gazed aghast. "Who meanwhile denounces him?" He was on his feet again; again he moved to the open window and stood there while the Doctor in silence waited. Presently he turned round. "May I see him?"

The Doctor, as if he had expected this, was already at the door. "God bless you!" And he flashed out.

Dennis, left alone, remained rigid in the middle of the room, immersed apparently in a stupor of emotion; then, as if shaken out of it by a return of conscious suffering, he passed in a couple of strides to the door of the library. Here, however, with his hand on the knob, he yielded to another impulse, which kept him irresolute, listening, drawing his breath in pain. Suddenly he turned away—Tony Bream had come in.