The person on the other side of it asked a strange question.
'Is Mr.Henry Westwick alone ?' Agnes instantly recognised the voice of the Countess.

She hurried to a second door, which communicated with one of the bedrooms.

'Don't let her come near me!' she whispered nervously.

'Good night, Henry! good night!' If Henry could, by an effort of will, have transported the Countess to the uttermost ends of the earth, he would have made the effort without remorse.

As it was, he only repeated, more irritably than ever, 'Come in!' She entered the room slowly with her everlasting manuscript in her hand.