The final answer had been received from Zurich,
and Mr. Pendril would personally communicate it at Combe-Raven on the
afternoon of the next day.
That next day was Wednesday, the twelfth of August. The weather had
changed in the night; and the sun rose watery through mist and cloud.
By noon the sky was overcast at all points; the temperature was sensibly
colder; and the rain poured down, straight and soft and steady, on the
thirsty earth. Toward three o'clock, Miss Garth and Norah entered the
morning-room, to await Mr. Pendril's arrival. They were joined shortly
afterward by Magdalen. In half an hour more the familiar fall of the
iron latch in the socket reached their ears from the fence beyond
the shrubbery. Mr. Pendril and Mr. Clare advanced into view along the
garden-path, walking arm-in-arm through the rain, sheltered by the same
umbrella. The lawyer bowed as they passed the windows; Mr. Clare walked
straight on, deep in his own thoughts--noticing nothing.
After a delay which seemed interminable; after a weary scraping of
wet feet on the hall mat; after a mysterious, muttered interchange of
question and answer outside the door, the two came in--Mr.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251