He put out his hand and drew her to her feet.
“Come, Clarinda, I will take you home.”
“Y-yes,” she whispered, almost beneath her breath, “please – t-take – me home.”
He saw that her torn gown could not be hidden and he looked around the room.
On the back of a chair there was a small embroidered shawl with a long fringe. He then picked it up, folded it in a triangle and put it around Clarinda’s shoulders.
She said nothing but crossed it over her breasts with trembling hands. Then with his arm under hers he led her out of the room, down the unlit passage and into the corridor still filled with people moving to and from the supper room.
They walked quickly and, although people tried to speak to Lord Melburne, he ignored them. They reached the front door and asked for his carriage.
Only
