In the glass she saw him look at
her. The light seemed to stream over her, to scorch her. He went into his
dressing-room without a word, and she heard the noise of water being
poured out and used for washing. He must be bathing his wounds, getting
rid of the red stains.
She sat down on the sofa at the foot of the bed and listened to the noise
of the water. At last it stopped and she heard drawers being violently
opened and shut, then a tearing sound. After a silence her husband came
into the room again with his forehead bound up in a silk handkerchief,
which was awkwardly knotted behind his head. Part of another silk
handkerchief was loosely tied round his right hand. He came forward,
stood in front of her and looked at her, and she saw now that there was
an expression almost of exultation on his face. She felt something fall
into her lap. It was the latch-key she had sent to Leo Ulford.
"I can tell you he's sorry he ever saw that--damned sorry," said Lord
Holme.
And he laughed.
Lady Holme took the key up carefully and put it down on the sofa. She was
realising something, realising that her husband was feeling happy. When
she had laid down the key she looked up at him and there was an intense
scrutiny in her eyes. Suddenly it seemed to her as if she were standing
up and looking down on him, as if she were the judge, he the culprit in
this matter. The numbness left her mind. She was able to think swiftly
again and her hands stopped trembling.
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