He looked at her strangely. "I've been a brute, I've always been a
brute, and I've hurt you again. I feel as if we'd trapped you, Rachel;
can you forgive us?"
She looked beyond him, struggling to regain her composure, and she
heard the wind shouting under the gables while the rain leaped against
the window-panes. She could not answer Astry and before he spoke again
Belhaven came to the door.
"I heard you were waiting for me, Astry; it's certainly obliging to go
after your guests in such a storm. The rain's turning into snow and
sleet."
"My dear Belhaven," said Astry easily, "I particularly wanted you. I
have a word to say to you beforehand."
Belhaven glanced keenly from Astry to Rachel.
"I've no intentions of shirking my responsibilities," he said. "You'll
find me ready."