" She spoke in stress of spirit, her eyes wide and fearful.
"If I said 'yes,' I might break my promise. I warn you! I can't
trust myself--I warn you not to trust me!"
"I will take the risk!"
"I have warned you. Yes, yes! I will try!--Let me go now, and stay
here till I have gone. I _must_ go now!" She shook with hysterical
passion. "Else I take back my promise!--I will see you in two
days; not here; I will think of some place."
She drew towards the exit, and when her one hand was on the key,
Piers, with sudden self-subdual, spoke.
"You have promised!"
"Yes, I will write very soon."
With a look of gratitude, a smile all but of tenderness, she passed
from his sight.
On the pavement, she looked this way and that. Fifty yards away, on
the other side of the street, a well-dressed man stood supporting
himself on his umbrella, as if he had been long waiting; though to
her shortness of sight the figure was featureless, Olga trembled as
she perceived it, and started at a rapid walk towards the cabstand
at the top of the street. Instantly, the man made after her, almost
running. He caught her up before she could approach the vehicles.
"So you were there! Something told me you were there!"
"What do you mean, Mr. Florio?"
The man was raging with jealous anger; trying to smile, he showed
his teeth in a mere grin, and sputtered his words.
"The door was shut with the key! Why was that?"
"You mustn't speak to me in this way," said Olga, with troubled
remonstrance rather than indignation.
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