At the sound of the voice Grey sprang back a step, thrust his head forward, and uttered a low cry of surprise and pain. Maud moved towards him, saying: "Are you ill, Mr. Grey? Are you ill?" His face was shrivelled and his mouth hung open. Before Maud could take another step the hand of the old woman was on her shoulder, and the voice of the old woman was in her ear, firm and hard as before: "Remember your promise! Good-bye." With erect head, bright eyes, and a quick step, the stranger walked to the door, on the outside of which Grey stood paralysed. He bowed and groaned as she approached, and as she passed him he crouched against the wall. She swept by him without looking at him, turned the corner of the corridor and passed out of sight. Maud, transfixed with amazement, stood where the old woman had arrested her. When the stranger had disappeared, Grey made a prodigious effort, shook himself, assumed a sickly smile, and straightened his figure. The action of the banker dissolved the stupefaction of the girl, and she moved rapidly towards the door to escape. Just as she reached it the manner of the man suddenly changed. His face became dark and threatening, and he bounded into the doorway, barring the exit and crying: "Stop! I must speak with you before you leave the room!" The girl recoiled in terror, and began with "Mr. Grey!" in a tone of fear and expostulation. "Go back. I say I _must_ speak with you before you leave this room!" She struggled with herself for a moment, and then summoned courage enough to begin with: "By what right, Mr. Grey----" "By any right or by any wrong you must speak with me. Do I look like a child, or a fool, or a woman?" His manner was vehement and over-powering. For an instant she resolved to defy him, but by a powerful sweep of his arm he indicated that denial was out of the question. With a palpitating heart and confused head she stepped back into the room. He followed her and locked the door. When she heard him do this her strength gave way altogether, and she sank on a chair. He walked up and down the room some time before he spoke. "Tell me, what did that wretched woman say to you? What was her business with you? What brought her here?" "She told me she had wronged me innocently." "How?" "She would not say." "What do you mean, girl? Do you dare to tell me she said she had wronged you and did not tell you how?" He drew up in front of her chair. "Yes." "Is that a lie?" "Is what a lie?" "Have you, girl, told me a lie?" "Mr. Grey, I----" "Girl, I will have no pretty sentiments! I am talking business now. Such business as you never even heard of. You may not know the results hanging on your words. Did that wretched woman tell you the injuries she had done you?" "She did not." Maud felt she should faint.