The silence that followed was, literally, the silence of fear
on both sides. In the midst of it, the door was opened once more--
and Henry Westwick appeared.
He looked at Lady Montbarry with a moment's steady attention--
bowed to her with formal politeness--and passed on in silence.
At the sight of her husband's brother, the sinking spirit of the woman
sprang to life again. Her drooping figure became erect. Her eyes met
Westwick's look, brightly defiant. She returned his bow with an icy
smile of contempt.
Henry crossed the room to Agnes.
'Is Lady Montbarry here by your invitation?' he asked quietly.
'No.'
'Do you wish to see her?'
'It is very painful to me to see her.'
He turned and looked at his sister-in-law. 'Do you hear that?'
he asked coldly.
'I hear it,' she answered, more coldly still.
'Your visit is, to say the least of it, ill-timed.'
'Your interference is, to say the least of it, out of place.'
With that retort, Lady Montbarry approached Agnes. The presence
of Henry Westwick seemed at once to relieve and embolden her.
'Permit me to ask my question, Miss Lockwood,' she said,
with graceful courtesy.
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