XXIIYet it was when she had got off—and I missed her on thespot—that the great pinch really came. If I had counted onwhat it would give me to find myselfalone with Miles, I speedilyperceived, at least, that it would give me a measure. No hour of mystay in fact was so assailed with apprehensions as that of mycoming down to learn that the carriage containing Mrs. Grose and myyounger pupil had already rolled out of the gates. Now I WAS, Isaid to myself, face to face with the elements, and for much of therest of the day, while I fought my weakness, I could consider thatI had been supremely rash. It was a tighter place still than I hadyet turned round in; all the more that, for the first time, I couldsee in the aspect of others a confused reflection of the crisis.What had happened naturally cau
