"I want to see your wife." Thalassa seemed about to say something at that, then thought the better of it, and walked out of the room.

Outside in the passage he picked up a small lamp glimmering in a niche of the wall, and led the way downstairs.
They reached the kitchen in silence, and went in.
The little grey woman at the table was seated in the same posture as Barrant had last seen her, her hands crossed in front of her, her head bent.

She glanced up listlessly as they entered.

Barrant crossed the room, and touched her arm.

She shook in a pitiful little flurry of fear, then became motionless again.
"Mrs.Thalassa, I want to speak to you," said Barrant, raising his voice, as though to a deaf person.