"My wife? Let her come!" said the Governor.
V
She stood before them in her bright evening dress, with an arrested
brilliancy of aspect like the sparkle of a fountain suddenly caught
in ice. Her look moved rapidly from one to the other; then she came
forward, while Shackwell slipped behind her to close the door.
"What has happened?" she said.
Shackwell began to speak, but the Governor interposed calmly:
"Fleetwood has come to tell me that he does not wish to remain in
office."
"Ah!" she murmured.
There was another silence. Fleetwood broke it by saying: "It is
getting late. If you want to see me to-morrow--"
The Governor looked from his face to Ella's. "Yes; go now," he said.
Shackwell moved in Fleetwood's wake to the door. Mrs. Mornway stood
with her head high, smiling slightly. She shook hands with each of
the men in turn; then she moved toward the sofa and laid aside her
shining cloak. All her gestures were calm and noble, but as she
raised her hand to unclasp the cloak her husband uttered a sudden
exclamation.
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