Some very warm things,
please, Clemence, I've suffered from cold, and I can't bear
the idea of it. And please telephone to the--to the Cecil for
a room and bath. When you have finished I shall pay you what
I owe and a month's wages extra. I cannot afford to keep you
any longer."
"But, madame"--Clemence fluttered in agitation--"Madame
promised to take me to America."
"Telephone for the rooms for Miss Susan Lenox," said Susan.
She was rapidly taking off her dress. "If I took you to
America I should have to let you go as soon as we landed."
"But, madame--" Clemence advanced to assist her.
"Please pack the trunk," said Susan. "I am leaving here at once."
"I prefer to go to America, even if madame----"
"Very well. I'll take you. But you understand?"
"Perfectly, madame----"
A sound of hurrying footsteps and Palmer was at the threshold.
His eyes were wild, his face distorted. His hair, usually
carefully arranged over the rapidly growing bald spot above
his brow, was disarranged in a manner that would have been
ludicrous but for the terrible expression of his face. "Go!"
he said harshly to the maid; and he stood fretting the knob
until she hastened out and gave him the chance to close the
door. Susan, calm and apparently unconscious of his presence,
went on with her rapid change of costume. He lit a cigarette
with fingers trembling, dropped heavily into a chair near the
door.
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