"
"I don't want a moment," replied the captain. "Place your departure from
York, your dramatic career, and your private inquiries under my care.
Here I am, unreservedly at your disposal. Say the word--do you take me?"
Her heart beat fast; her lips turned dry--but she said the word.
"I do."
There was a pause. Magdalen sat silent, struggling with the vague
dread of the future which had been roused in her mind by her own
reply. Captain Wragge, on his side, was apparently absorbed in the
consideration of a new set of alternatives. His hands descended into his
empty pockets, and prophetically tested their capacity as receptacles
for gold and silver. The brightness of the precious metals was in his
face, the smoothness of the precious metals was in his voice, as
he provided himself with a new supply of words, and resumed the
conversation.
"The next question," he said, "is the question of time. Do these
confidential investigations of ours require immediate attention--or can
they wait?"
"For the present, they can wait," replied Magdalen. "I wish to secure
my freedom from all interference on the part of my friends before the
inquiries are made.
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