e at their
utmost intensity, like a terrible dream. As for poor Mimi, she was so
overwrought both with present and future fear, and with horror at the
danger she had escaped, that her faculties were numb. However, she was
braced up for a trial, and she felt assured that whatever might come she
would be able to go through with it. Sir Nathaniel seemed just as
usual--suave, dignified, and thoughtful--perfect master of himself.

To her husband, it was evident that Mimi was ill at ease. The way she
kept turning her head to look around her, the quick coming and going of
the colour of her face, her hurried breathing, alternating with periods
of suspicious calm, were evidences of mental perturbation. To her, the
attitude of Lady Arabella seemed compounded of social sweetness and
personal consideration. It would be hard to imagine more thoughtful and
tender kindness towards an honoured guest.

When tea was over and the servants had come to clear away the cups, Lady
Arabella, putting her arm round Mimi's waist, strolled with her into an
adjoining room, where she collected a number of photographs which were
scattered about, and, sitting down beside her guest, began to show them
to her. While she was doing this, the servants closed all the doors of
the suite of rooms, as well as that which opened from the room
outside--that of the well-hole into the avenue. Suddenly, without any
seeming cause, the light in the room began to grow dim. Sir Nathaniel,
who was sitting close to Mimi, rose to his feet, and, crying, "Quick!"
caught hold of her hand and began to drag her from the room. Adam caught
her other hand, and between them they drew her through the outer door
which the servants were beginning to close. It was difficult at first to
find the way, the darkness was so great; but to their relief when Adam
whistled shrilly, the carriage and horses, which had been waiting in the
angle of the avenue, dashed up. Her husband and Sir Nathaniel
lifted--almost threw--Mimi into the carriage. The postillion plied whip
and spur, and the vehicle, rocking with its speed, swept through the gate
and tore up the road. Behind them was a hubbub--servants rushing about,
orders being shouted out, doors shutting, and somewhere, seemingly far
back in the house, a strange noise. Every nerve of the horses was
strained as they dashed recklessly along the road. The two men held Mimi
between them, the arms of both of them round her as though prote