Only one thing remained to
him--herself, and only, as she knew very well, herself so long as he
could believe she wanted him. And while she was still occupied with her
resolve, the cab for which she waited stopped unnoticed at the door. It
was not until Durrance's servant had actually rung the bell that her
attention was again attracted to the street.
"He has come!" she said with a start.
Durrance, it was true, was not particularly acute; he had never been
inquisitive; he took his friends as he found them; he put them under no
microscope. It would have been easy at any time, Ethne reflected, to
quiet his suspicions, should he have ever come to entertain any. But
_now_ it would be easier than ever. There was no reason for
apprehension. Thus she argued, but in spite of the argument she rather
nerved herself to an encounter than went forward to welcome her
betrothed.
Mrs. Adair slipped out of the room, so that Ethne was alone when
Durrance entered at the door. She did not move immediately; she retained
her attitude and position, expecting that the change in him would for
the first moment shock her. But she was surprised; for the particular
changes which she had expected were noticeable only through their
absence.
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