The Laughing Cavalier by Emma Orczy — Read

While Maria completed a hasty toilet, Gilda's instinct had drawn her back once more to the open window. The light from the room below was still reflected on the opposite wall, and from the tap-room the buzz of voices had not altogether ceased.

Cornelius Beresteyn was speaking now: "Indeed," he said, "It will be the one consolation left to me, since you do reject my friendship, sir."