"I heard you on the stairs," she said. "I'm not dressed, and so I'll not kiss you. I've told the cook to get your breakfast at once, for I know you are hungry."
"Thanks, I am," he answered. "I have been up all night."
She was ten years older than he, short, and firmly built. Her blue, calculating eyes had a sleepy look.
"You must have been up late last night, yourself," he said, nothing more vital occurring to his troubled mind.
"Oh yes, Alan Delbridge gave a big reception and dance in his rooms. Supper was served at the club at one o'clock. Champagne and all the rest. I was the blindest chaperon you ever saw. Good-by--if I don't get down to breakfast it will be because I'm sound asleep. I knew you would cut your outing short."
"You say you did?" he cried, his heart sinking. "What made you think so?"
"The Mitchells are back." She laughed significantly, and was gone.
He had his breakfast alone in the pretty dining-room below, and at once started to town. His first thought was that he would go to the bank, but he decided otherwise. He shrank from the formality of greeting the employees in his present frame of mind. No, he would simply see Marie at once and face the inevitable. The earliness of the hour--it was only nine o'clock--would make no difference with her. In fact, by seeking her at once he might prevent her from looking for him. It would be dangerous, he was well aware of that, but the danger would not be any the greater under the roof of her cottage than at the bank, or even in the streets. He decided not to call a cab. The distance was less than a mile, and the walk would perhaps calm him and might furnish some inspiration as to his dealings with her.
Marie Winship lived in a quiet part of the city, near Decatur Street, and after a brisk walk he found himself at her door ringing the bell. He was kept waiting several minutes, and this was awkward, for he was afraid that some one in passing might recognize him and remark upon his presence there so early in the day. However, no one passed, and he was admitted by a yellow-skinned maid.
"Miss Marie just now got up," she said, as she left him to go into the little parlor off the hall.
"Tell her, Mary, that I want to see her, but not to hurry, for I have plenty of time," Mostyn said, "I have just got back."