What if Wilding's warning should have procured help, and Richard were slain in consequence?
Oh, it was unthinkable! Diana, white of face, listened to and shared her fears.

Even her shallow nature was stirred by the tragedy of Ruth's position, by dread lest Richard should indeed have met his end that night.

In these moments of distress, she forgot her hopes of triumphing over Blake, of punishing him for his indifference to herself.
At last, at something after midnight, there came a fevered rapping at the outer door.

Both women started up, and with arms about each other, in their sudden panic, stood there waiting for the news that must be here at last.
The door of the dining-room was flung open; the women recoiled in their dread of what might come; then Richard entered, Jasper's startled countenance showing behind him.
He closed the door, shutting out the wondering servant, and they saw that, though his face was ashen and his limbs all a-tremble, he showed no sign of any hurt or effort.

His dress was as meticulous as when last they had seen him.