You shall pay me for my instructions from your profits on the stage.
Half your salary for the first year; a third of your salary for the
second year; and half the sum you clear by your first benefit in a
London theater. What do you say to that? Have I made it my interest to
push you, or have I not?"
So far as appearances went, and so far as the stage went, it was plain
that he had linked his interests and Magdalen's together. She briefly
told him so, and waited to hear more.
"A month or six weeks' study," continued the captain, "will give me a
reasonable idea of what you can do best. All ability runs in grooves;
and your groove remains to be found. We can't find it here--for we can't
keep you a close prisoner for weeks together in Rosemary Lane. A quiet
country place, secure from all interference and interruption, is the
place we want for a month certain. Trust my knowledge of Yorkshire, and
consider the place found. I see no difficulties anywhere, except the
difficulty of beating our retreat to-morrow."
"I thought your arrangements were made last night?" said Magdalen.
"Quite right," rejoined the captain. "They were made last night; and
here they are.
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