CHAPTER XXXVI

—agaspofrelief—ashortlaughovertheabsurdityofherdream—amiserablesickeningrecollectionofwhathadhappened. Barneywasgone.Valancyknew,aspeoplesometimesknowthings—inescapably,withoutbeingtold—thathewasnotinthehouseorinBluebeard’sChambereither.Therewasacurioussilenceintheliving-room.Asilencewithsomethinguncannyaboutit.Theoldclockhadstopped.Barneymusthaveforgottentowinditup,somethinghehadneverdonebefore.Theroomwithoutitwasdead,thoughthesunshinestreamedinthroughtheorielanddimplesoflightfromthedancingwavesbeyondquiveredoverthewalls. ThecanoewasgonebutLadyJanewasunderthemainlandtrees.SoBarneyhadbetakenhimselftothewilds.Hewouldnotreturntillnight—perhapsnoteventhen.Hemustbeangrywithher.Thatfurioussilenceofhismustmeananger—cold,deep,justifiableresentment.Well,Valancyknewwhatshemustdofirst.Shewasnotsufferingverykeenlynow.Yetthecuriousnumbnessthatpervadedherbeingwasinawayworsethanpain.Itwasasifsomethinginherhaddied.Sheforcedherselftocookandeatalittlebreakfast.MechanicallysheputtheBlueCastleinperfectorder.Thensheputonherhatandcoat,lockedthedoorandhidthekeyinthehollowoftheoldpineandcrossedtothemainlandinthemotorboat.ShewasgoingintoDeerwoodtoseeDr.Trent.Shemustknow.