8. HALF-PAST EIGHT O'CLOCK P.M.Then Cytherea felt her way amid the darkness of the room till
she came to the head of the bed, where she searched for the
bell-rope and gave it a pull. Her summons was speedily answered by
the landlady herself, whose curiosity to know the meaning of these
strange proceedings knew no bounds. The landlady attempted to turn
the handle of the door. Cytherea kept the door locked. 'Please tell
Mr. Manston when he comes that I am ill,' she said from the inside,
'and that I cannot see him.'
'Certainly I will, madam,' said the landlady. 'Won't you have a
fire?'
'No, thank you.'
'Nor a light?'
'I don't want one, thank you.'
'Nor anything?'
'Nothing.'
The landlady withdrew, thinking her visitor half insane.
Manston came in about five minutes later, and w
