Whatever West's social standing was in this house, lately he was in confidential business relations with Mrs.Saltonstall." He raised his eyes for the first time to Garnier as he added, slowly, "It is to be hoped that if our hostess has no social reasons to deplore the loss of Dr.West, she at least will have no other." With a lover's instinct, conscious only of some annoyance to Maruja, in all this, Carroll anxiously looked for her appearance among the others.
He was doomed to disappointment, however.

His half-timid inquiries only resulted in the information that Maruja was closeted with her mother.

The penetralia of the casa was only accessible to the family; yet, as he wandered uneasily about, he could not help passing once or twice before the quaint low archway, with its grated door, that opened from the central hall.

His surprise may be imagined when he suddenly heard his name uttered in a low voice; and, looking up, he beheld the soft eyes of Maruja at the grating.
She held the door partly open with one little hand, and made a sign for him to enter with the other.

When he had done so, she said, "Come with me," and preceded him down the dim corridor.