It was freedom for the first time, a freedom that she had often imagined, but which she never dreamt would really become hers. It was as if a bird caught and caged suddenly found itself free to soar into the Heavens and flew off, forgetful of everything and every danger save for the feel of the wind lifting its wings and the sunshine on its body.
Freedom! It was an intoxication that Nerina had never known before.
She seemed now to have an untrammelled radiance as she came from the street into the marble-pillared hall.
The butler, taking her parasol from her, said,
“Sir Rupert is in the library, my Lady.”
Just for a moment Nerina hesitated and then, as if her courage bore her on winged feet, she crossed the hall and opened the door of the library before an attentive footman could reach
