I have two hours before
me--just time enough to fit my wife into her new Skin. The process is
absolutely necessary, to prevent her compromising us with the servant.
Don't be afraid about the results; Mrs. Wragge has had a copious
selection of assumed names hammered into her head in the course of
her matrimonial career. It is merely a question of hammering hard
enough--nothing more. I think we have settled everything now. Is there
anything I can do before two o'clock? Have you any employment for the
morning?"
"No," said Magdalen. "I shall go back to my own room, and try to rest."
"You had a disturbed night, I am afraid?" said the captain, politely
opening the door for her.
"I fell asleep once or twice," she answered, carelessly. "I suppose my
nerves are a little shaken. The bold black eyes of that man who stared
so rudely at me yesterday evening seemed to be looking at me again in
my dreams. If we see him to-day, and if he annoys me any more, I must
trouble you to speak to him. We will meet here again at two o'clock.
Don't be hard with Mrs. Wragge; teach her what she must learn as
tenderly as you can."
With those words she left him, and went upstairs.
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