Empty. Nobody still lingering on the steps.
He then proceeded as far as the white gate, holding her capable of having left it open on purpose,--'In order to aggravate me,' as he put it to himself.
It was shut.
He stood leaning on it a minute listening, in case she should be lurking in the lane.
Not a sound.
Satisfied that she had really gone, he returned to the terrace and re-entered the library, fastening the window carefully and pulling down the blind.
What a relief, what an extraordinary relief, to have got rid of her; and not just for this once, but for good. Also she was Lucy's only relation, so there were no more of them to come and try to interfere between man and wife. He was very glad she had behaved so outrageously at the end saying that about Vera, for it justified him completely in what he had done. A little less bad behaviour, and she would have had to be allowed to stay the night; still a little less, and she would have had to come to The Willows again, let alone having a free hand in London to influence Lucy when he was at his club playing bridge and unable to look after her. Yes; it was very satisfactory, and well worth coming down day earlier for.
He wound up his watch, standing before the last glimmerings of the fire, and felt quite good-humoured again. More than good-humoured,--refreshed and exhilarated, as though he had had a cold bath and a thorough rub-down. Now for bed and his little Love. What simple things a man wanted,--only his woman and peace.
Wemyss finished winding his watch, stretched himself, yawned, and then went slowly upstairs, switching off the lights as he went.
In the bedroom there was a night-light burning, and Lucy had fallen asleep, tired of waiting for Aunt Dot to come and say good-night, but she woke when he came in.
'Is that you, Aunt Dot?' she murmured, even through her sleepiness sure it must be, for Everard would have turned on the light.
Wemyss, however, didn't want her to wake up and begin asking questions, so he refrained from turning on the light.
'No, it's your Everard,' he said, moving about on tiptoe. 'Sh-sh, now.
Go to sleep again like a good little girl.'
Through her sleepiness she knew that voice of his; it meant one of his pleased moods. How sweet of him to be taking such care not to disturb her ... dear Everard ... he and Aunt Dot must have made friends then ... how glad she was ... wonderful little Aunt Dot ... before dinner he was angry, and she had been so afraid ... afraid ... what a relief ... how glad....
But Lucy was asleep again, and the next thing she knew was Everard's arm being slid under her shoulders and she being drawn across the bed and gathered to his breast.
'Who's my very own baby?' she heard him saying; and she woke up just enough sleepily to return his kiss.
THE END