She walked quickly to the door and flung it open.

There was nobody outside, and the passage was empty.
"We have been talking family secrets with the door open," she said, returning to her seat.

"I thought I saw one of the servants eavesdropping." "My servants would not listen at doors," said Robert Turold coldly.

"You must have imagined it." Mrs.Pendleton made no rejoinder.

She had a strong belief that someone had been watching and listening, but she could not be sure.
"We must really be going," she announced, with a glance at the clock.
"Joseph"-- such was her husband's name--"you had better go and see if the car is ready, and I will go for Sisily.