"I accept the terms," said Captain Wragge, getting briskly on his legs
again. "Subject, of course, to the conditions agreed on between us. We
part on the wedding-day. I don't ask where you go: you don't ask where I
go. From that time forth we are strangers to each other."
Magdalen rose slowly from the mound. A hopeless depression, a sullen
despair, showed itself in her look and manner. She refused the captain's
offered hand; and her tones, when she answered him, were so low that he
could hardly hear her.
"We understand each other," she said; "and we can now go back. You may
introduce me to Mrs. Lecount to-morrow."
"I must ask a few questions first," said the captain, gravely. "There
are more risks to be run in this matter, and more pitfalls in our way,
than you seem to suppose. I must know the whole history of your morning
call on Mrs. Lecount before I put you and that woman on speaking terms
with each other."
"Wait till to-morrow," she broke out impatiently. "Don't madden me by
talking about it to-night."
The captain said no more. They turned their faces toward Aldborough, and
walked slowly back.
By the time they reached the houses night had overtaken them.
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