Sally had inexorably diminished the doses after
the seventh day. Madeleine's mind, tormented by her nerves, never
ceased for a moment revolving plans for escape.
As they returned from a walk one afternoon they met callers at the
door and it was impossible to deny them admittance. Madeleine excused
herself and went up to her room wearing her coat and hat instead of
handing them to Sally as usual. She put them in her wardrobe and
locked the door and hid the key. At dinner it was apparent, however,
that Sally had not noticed the omission of this detail in her daily
espionage, for the visitors had told her much interesting gossip and
she was interested in imparting it. Moreover, her mind was almost at
rest regarding her captive.
Madeleine, some time since, had found that the key of another door
unlocked her own, and secreted it. She had no money, but she had worn
a heavy gold bracelet when her husband and Sally dressed her and they
had pinned her collar with a pearl brooch. Sally followed her to her
room after she had had time to undress and gave her the nightly
draught, but did not linger; she had no mind that her husband should
feel neglected and resent this interruption of an extended honeymoon.
Madeleine waited until the house was quiet. Then she went down the
heavily carpeted stairs and let herself out by one of the long French
windows.
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