My eyes did not dare to bless her. We moved down the stairs--Miss
Gilchrist leading, Flora supported by her brother and Mr. Robbie, the
Major and I behind. As I descended the first step, the red-headed runner
made a move forward. Though my gaze was glued upon the pattern of Miss
Gilchrist's Paisley shawl, I saw his finger touch my arm! Yes, and I
felt it, like a touch of hot iron. The other man--Moleskin--plucked him
by the arm: they whispered. They saw me bareheaded, without my overcoat.
They argued, no doubt, that I was unaware; was seeing the ladies to
their carriage; would of course return. They let me pass.

Once in the boisterous street, I darted round to the dark side of the
carriage. Ronald ran forward to the coachman (whom I recognised for the
gardener, Robie). "Miss Flora is faint. Home, as fast as you can!" He
skipped back under the awning. "A guinea to make it faster!" I called up
from the other side of the box-seat; and out of the darkness and rain I
held up the coin and pressed it into Robie's damp palm. "What in the
name----!" He peered round, but I was back and close against the step.
The door was slammed. "Right away!"

It may have been fancy; but with the shout I seemed to hear the voice of
Alain lifted in imprecation on the Assembly Room stairs. As Robie
touched up the grey, I whipped open the door on my side and tumbled
in--upon Miss Gilchrist's lap.

Flora choked down a cry. I recovered myself, dropped into a heap of rugs
on the seat facing the ladies, and pulled-to the door by its strap.

Dead silence from Miss Gilchrist!

I had to apologise, of course. The wheels rumbled and jolted over the
cobbles of Edinburgh; the windows rattled and shook under the uncertain
gusts of the city. When we passed a street lamp it shed no light into
the vehicle, but the awful profile of my protectress loomed out for a
second against the yellow haze of the pane, and sank back into
impenetrable shade.

"Madam, some explanation--enough at least to mitigate your
resentment--natural, I allow."--Jolt, jolt! And still a mortuary
silence within the coach! It was disconcerting. Robie for a certainty
was driving his best, and already we were beyond the last rare outposts
of light on the Lothian Road.

"I believe, madam, the inside of five minutes--if you will allow----"

I stretched out a protesting hand. In the darkness it encountered
Flora's. Our fingers closed upon the thrill. For five, ten beatific
seconds our p