She paused, then continued,
“I could – meet you in the herb garden. I can reach – there without – anyone seeing me – leave the house.”
“No one knows I have returned,” the Earl said, “so I will go there at once.”
He looked into her eyes raised to his and asked,
“You will come? This is not just a trick to be rid of me?” “No – of course not! I will come – if you really – want me to.”
“I want it more than I can possibly say. I have to talk to you.”
There was a note of command in his voice and he knew that she responded to it.
“I will come!” she said again simply. “But first you must return the way you came.”
“Will I find the catch?”
“If you take the candle, it is quite clear from this side of the panel.”
She handed him the candle as she spoke and without another word he turned and we
