afraid of breaking my promise."

She had risen to her feet by now. He held out his hand.

"I would not worry about that, if I were you. You have not broken it in
the smallest degree. But now go and get leave to break it, if you can,
and set your mind at rest."

CHAPTER XXXIV

AN AMAZING SUGGESTION

The avenue and garden were quite deserted as Trix approached Chorley Old
Hall. The lawn was one great sheet of unbroken whiteness, flanked by
frosted yew hedges, and very desolate.

She passed quickly along the terrace towards the front door, feeling
almost as if spying eyes were watching her from behind the curtained
windows. She took hold of the hanging iron bell-handle and pulled it, its
coldness striking through her glove with an icy chill. She heard its
clang in some far-off region, yet oddly loud in the dead silence.
Involuntarily she shivered, partly with the cold, and partly with a
sudden sense of nervousness.

A second or two passed. Trix stared hard at the brass knocker on the
door, trying to still the nervousness which possessed her. There came a
sound of steps in the hall, and the door was opened.

"Can I see Mr. Danver?" asked Trix.

Jessop stared, visibly startled.

"It is all right," said Trix quickly. "Don't you remember I had tea here
last August?"

Jessop's face relaxed, but he looked a trifle dubious.

"I don't think--" he began.

Trix raised her chin.

"Go and ask him," she said with slight authority. "I will wait in the
hall."

Jessop departed, to return after a minute.

"Will you come this way, please, Madam."

* * * * *

Nicholas Danver looked at her as she entered, an odd expression on his
face.

He might never have moved from his chair since the day she had last seen
him, thought Trix. The only difference in the surroundings was a
crackling wood fire now burning on the big hearth.

"Well, Miss Devereux," he said, holding out his hand.

"You don't mind my having come?" queried Trix. "No one saw me."

A slight look of relief passed over Nicholas's face.

"I think I am glad you've come," he said. "Sit down, please."

Trix sat down. Her hands were tightly clasped within her muff. She was
still beating back that quite unaccountable nervousness.

"You had a particular reason for coming to see me?" suggested Nicholas.

Trix nodded.

"Yes; I am in rather a difficulty. You are the only person who can help
me."

Nicholas lau