There she paused, panting, curiosity and daring once more getting the
upperhand. The door she had just passed through, which gave access to
the staircase, opened again and shut. The stranger who had entered came
leisurely towards the hall, lingering apparently now and then to look at
objects on the way. Presently a voice--an exclamation.
Kitty retreated, caught at the arm of a chair for support, clung to it
trembling. A man entered, holding his hat in one hand and a small white
glove in the other.
At sight of the lady in black, standing on the other side of the hall,
he started violently--and stopped. Then, just as Kitty, who had so far
made neither sound nor movement, took the first hurried step towards the
staircase by which she had entered, Geoffrey Cliffe came forward.
"How do you do, Lady Kitty? Do not, I beg of you, let me disturb you. I
had half an hour to spare, and I gave the old man down-stairs a franc or
two, that he might let me wander over this magnificent old place by
myself for a bit. I have always had a fancy for deserted houses. You, I
gather, have it, too. I will not interfere with you for a moment.
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