For a minute there,
apart from observation, we exchanged mute alarms, and I could
feel with what high interest my friend returned me all those I
had from the first given her.
"She'll be above," she presently said--"in one of the rooms
you haven't searched."
"No; she's at a distance." I had made up my mind.
"She has gone out."
Mrs. Grose stared. "Without a hat?"
I naturally also looked volumes. "Isn't that woman always without one?"
"She's with HER?"
"She's with HER!" I declared. "We must find them."
My hand was on my friend's arm, but she failed for the moment,
confronted with such an account of the matter, to respond to my pressure.
She communed, on the contrary, on the spot, with her uneasiness.
"And where's Master Miles?"
"Oh, HE'S with Quint. They're in the schoolroom."
"Lord, miss!" My view, I was myself aware--and therefore I suppose my tone--
had never yet reached so calm an assurance.
"The trick's played," I went on; "they've successfully worked their plan.
He found the most divine little way to keep me quiet while she went off."
"'Divine'?" Mrs. Grose bewilderedly echoed.
"Infernal, then!" I almost cheerfully rejoined.
"He has provided for himself as well. But come!"
She had helplessly gloomed at the upper regions.
"You leave him--?"
"So long with Quint? Yes--I don't mind that now."
She always ended, at these moments, by getting possession of
my hand, and in this manner she could at present still stay me.
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