The Baroness heard the click of Preston's key in the street door, and
she listened to his slow step as he ascended the stairs. She heard
him pause, too, and waited for the sound of the opening of his room
door, which was situated exactly above her own. But she listened in
vain, her ears, brain and heart on the alert with surprise,
curiosity, and at last suspicion. The Baroness was as full of
curiosity as a cat.
It was not until just before dawn that she heard his step in the
hall, and his door open and close.
An hour later a sharp ring came at the street door bell. A message
for Mr Preston, the servant said, in answer to her mistress's
question as she descended from the room above.
"Was Mr Preston awake when you rapped on his door?" asked the
Baroness.
"Yes, madame, awake and dressed."
Mr Preston ran hurriedly through the halls and out to the street a
moment later; and the Baroness, clothed in a dressing-gown and silken
slippers, tiptoed lightly to his room. The bed had not been occupied
the whole night. On the table lay a note which the young man had
begun when interrupted by the message which he had thrown down beside
it.
The Baroness glanced at the note, on which the ink was still moist,
and read, "My dear Miss Lawrence, I want you to release me from the
ties formed only yesterday--I am basely unworthy--" here the note
ended.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45