He was of opinion that the critical
condition of this gentleman's health might exercise an important
influence on the future progress of the conspiracy. Any chance of a
separation, he remarked, between the housekeeper and her master was,
under existing circumstances, a chance which merited the closest
investigation. "If we can only get Mrs. Lecount out of the way at the
right time," whispered the captain, as he opened his host's garden gate,
"our man is caught!"
In a minute more Magdalen was again under Noel Vanstone's roof; this
time in the character of his own invited guest.
The proceedings of the evening were for the most part a repetition of
the proceedings during the morning walk. Noel Vanstone vibrated between
his admiration of Magdalen's beauty and his glorification of his
own possessions. Captain Wragge's inexhaustible outbursts of
information--relieved by delicately-indirect inquiries relating to
Mrs. Lecount's brother--perpetually diverted the housekeeper's jealous
vigilance from dwelling on the looks and language of her master. So the
evening passed until ten o'clock. By that time the captain's ready-made
science was exhausted, and the housekeeper's temper was forcing its way
to the surface.
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