Page:The Painted Veil - Maugham - 1925.djvu/218

 to beat quickly. But before she had time to put her vague apprehension into shape some one walked across the room and knocked at her door.

“Mrs. Fane.”

She recognised Waddington’s voice.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Will you get up at once. I have something to say to you.”

She rose and put on a dressing-gown. She unlocked the door and opened it. Her glance took in Waddington in a pair of Chinese trousers and a pongee coat, the house-boy holding a hurricane lamp, and a little further back three Chinese soldiers in khaki. She started as she saw the consternation on Waddington’s face; his head was tousled as though he had just jumped out of bed.

“What is the matter?” she gasped.

“You must keep calm. There’s not a moment to lose. Put on your clothes at once and come with me.”

“But what is it? Has something happened in the city?”

The sight of the soldiers suggested to her at once that there had been an outbreak and they were come to protect her.

“Your husband’s been taken ill. We want you to come at once.”

“Walter?” she cried.

“You mustn’t be upset. I don’t exactly know what’s the matter. Colonel Yü sent this officer to me and asked me to bring you to the Yamen at once.”