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."
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.
"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.
"Go and ask him," she said with slight authority. "I will wait in the hall."
Jessop departed, to return after a minute.
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.
"Yes; I am in rather a difficulty. You are the only person who can help me."
"It is an odd experience to be told that I can be of service to any one," he said. "What is it?"
"Mr. Danver, I want you to release me from my promise."