A long time afterward she recalled his exultant exclamation, checked at its outset—­recalled it with a perfect sense of understanding.  With rare good taste he subdued whatever it was that might have struggled for expression and simply extended his right hand to relieve her of the lantern.

“We never have been enemies, Miss Drake,” he said, controlling his voice admirably.  “But had we been so up to this very instant, I am sure I’d surrender now.  I don’t know what has happened at the Villa.  It doesn’t matter.  You are here to ask my protection and my help.  I am at your service, my home is yours, my right hand also.  You are tired and wet and—­nervous.  Won’t you come inside?  I’ll get a light in a jiffy and Mrs. Ulrich, my housekeeper, shall be with you as soon as I can rout her out.  Come in, please.”  She held back doubtfully, a troubled, uncertain look in her eyes.

“You will understand, won’t you?” she asked simply.

“And no questions asked,” he said from the doorway.  Still she held back, her gaze going involuntarily to the glasses on the table.  He interpreted the look of inquiry.  “There were two of us.  The doctor was here picking out the shot, that’s all.  He’s gone.  It’s all right.  Wait here and I’ll get a light.”  The flame in her lantern suddenly ended its feeble life.

She stood inside his doorway and heard him shuffle across the floor in search of the lamps.

“Dark as Egypt, eh?” he called out from the opposite side of the room.

“Not as dark as the forest, Mr. Shaw.”

“Good heavens, what a time you must have had.  All alone, were you?”

“Of course.  I was not eloping.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“Where were you sitting when I came up?”

“Here—­in the dark.  I was waiting for the storm to come and dozed away, I daresay.  I love a storm, don’t you?”

“Yes, if I’m indoors.  Ah!” He had struck a match and was lighting the wick of a lamp beside the huge fireplace.  “I suppose you think I’m perfectly crazy.  I’m horrid.”

“Not at all.  Sit down here on the couch, please.  More cheerful, eh?  Good Lord, listen to the wind.  You got here just in time.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have Mrs. Ulrich down in a minute.  She’ll take good care of you.  And I’ll make you a nice hot drink, too.  You need it.”  In the door of the big living-room he turned to her, a look of extreme doubt in his eyes.  “By Jove, I bet I do wake up.  It can’t be true.”  She laughed plaintively and shook her head in humble self-abasement.  “Don’t be lonesome.  I’ll he back in a minute.”