He felt that the emergency must be his justification. Clayton was
still abroad, and even his most captious critics would admit that
Natalie should have a friend by if she were in trouble. Visions of
Graham wounded filled his mind. He was anxious, restless and in a
state of the highest nervous tension.
And there was no real emergency.
He found Natalie in the drawing-room, pacing the floor. She was
still in her morning dress, and her eyes were red and swollen. She
gave him both her hands, and he was surprised to find them cold as
ice.
"I knew you would come," she said. "I am so alone, so terrified."
He could hardly articulate.
"What is it?"
"Graham has been ordered abroad."
He stood still, staring at her, and then he dropped her hands.
"Is that all?" he asked, dully.
"No."
"Good heavens, Natalie! Tell me. I've been frantic with anxiety
about you."
"He was married to-night to Delight Haverford."
And still he stared at her.
"Then he's not hurt, or ill?"
"I didn't say he was.
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