CHAPTER II
THE EXPECTED COMPANY
When he came to himself he was trussed up like a bundle, with arms andankles tied too tight for comfort. He still lay on the floor of themusicians' gallery and the room below him was still lighted. He rolledover and again could look through the valance. Only a little time musthave elapsed, for the room was still empty.
And with the sight of that emptiness, questions poured in upon him. Whohad found him out? And for what fate was he reserved? How long did theymean to leave him here and why did they leave him here at all? Why hadhe not been finished and done with? There struck through him, withperhaps the first utter and broken fear of his life, the depth of thesilence by which he was again surrounded. No breath, no stir; thatintense stillness was vivid as a presence and positive like sound; hewas alone in it; he lay there helpless; a bound fool and sacrifice inthe bright house, in the middle of the wood and the depth of the night,and, if those chose who left him so, he must lie there till he died. Helurched up and sat quiet, waiting for the dreadful giddiness and nauseathat came with movement to pass by; determined to struggle till he gotto his knees and on his knees, if necessary, to attempt to pass out ofthat house. He knew it was impossible, but movement he must have. Then,through that density of silence, he heard a step upon the terrace.
His curiosity rushed back on him, like fire in a back-draft. He heldhis breath; the step was a man's; it crossed the threshold of the greatdoor and sounded on the tiling of the hall. The next instant the guestof the red-haired woman was in the room under Herrick's eyes.
Removing a long driving ulster and a soft hat, he proved to be in fullevening clothes, and expectancy, held firmly down, lay mute and rigid inevery part of him. He lifted a face the color of tallow and, staringstraight at Herrick's balcony with blank, black eyes, the visitor drew aquivering breath. This visitor was Cuyler Ten Euyck.
The sound of his entrance had evidently been remarked. Again there was alight footstep overhead, and Herrick guessed that enough time hadelapsed for the toilet to have been completed. The hostess came forth atonce, and could be heard slowly, and with great deliberation, descendingthe stairs. Ten Euyck did not go to meet her. Only his eyes traveled tothe door and he stood stiff, with little swallowings in his throat.Herrick could hear, as she came into the room, a swish, a tinkle abouther steps as though she walked through jeweled silk, and before her onthe waxed and gleaming floor there floated a pool of additionalbrightness, so that he saw she had not been satisfied, after all, withthe lighting of her supper-party, but carried a lamp to her own beautyas she came. Another step and there swam into his sight the beautiful,tall figure, carrying her lamp high, and incomparably more than beforethe mistress of that great apartment. This time it was Christinaherself.
Persons Unknown Page 48