"Isabel is a little anxious about you."
"Oh yes," she whispered tremulously. "Let us go!"
She tottered a little with the words, and he transferred his hold to her
elbow. He supported her steadily and sustainingly.
Eustace stepped forward, and lifted the heavy curtain for them with a
mask-like ceremony. She glanced up at him as she went through.
"Good night!" he said.
Her lips quivered in response.
He suddenly bent to her. "Good night!" he said again.
There was imperious insistence in his voice. His eyes compelled.
Mutely she responded to the mastery that would not be denied. She lifted
her trembling lips to his; and deliberately--in Scott's presence--he
kissed her.
"Sleep well!" he said lightly.
She returned his kiss, because she could not do otherwise. She felt as if
he had so merged her will into his that she was deprived of all power to
resist.
But the hand that held her arm urged her with quiet strength. It led her
unfalteringly away.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE LESSON
Ten minutes later Scott descended the stairs alone and returned to the
salon.
A dance was in progress. He stood for a space in the doorway, watching.
Finally, having satisfied himself that his brother was not among the
dancers, he turned away.
With his usual quietness of demeanour, he crossed the vestibule, and
looked into the smoking-room. Sir Eustace was not there either, and he
was closing the door again when the man himself came up the passage
behind him, and clapped a careless hand on his shoulder.
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