"Of course I knew of it," he returned, and without waiting any longer
for an answer he went out on to the terrace.
Mrs. Adair dismissed for the moment the mystery of the telegram. She was
occupied by her conjecture that in the little garden by the water's edge
Durrance had stood and called aloud for Ethne, while within twelve yards
of him, perhaps actually within his reach, she and some one else had
kept very still and had given no answer. Her conjecture was soon proved
true. She saw Ethne and her companion come out again on to the open
lawn. Was it Feversham? She must have an answer to that question. She
saw them descend the bank towards the boat, and, stepping from her
window, ran.
Thus it happened that as Willoughby rose from loosening the painter, he
saw Mrs. Adair's disappointed eyes gazing into his. Mrs. Adair called to
Ethne, who stood by Captain Willoughby, and came down the bank to them.
"I noticed you cross the lawn from the drawing-room window," she said.
"Yes?" answered Ethne, and she said no more. Mrs. Adair, however, did
not move away, and an awkward pause followed. Ethne was forced to give
in.
"I was talking to Captain Willoughby," and she turned to him.
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