"Yesterday Joyce was my all-in-all. To-day I don't care that for him!"
He snapped his fingers and sat down to breakfast.
"I don't understand you," said Magdalen, looking at him angrily. "Are
you leaving me to my own resources for the future?"
"My dear girl!" cried Captain Wragge, "can't you accustom yourself to my
dash of humor yet? I have done with my ready-made science simply because
I am quite sure that Mrs. Lecount has done believing in me. Haven't I
accepted the invitation to Dunwich? Make your mind easy. The help I have
given you already counts for nothing compared with the help I am going
to give you now. My honor is concerned in bowling out Mrs. Lecount. This
last move of hers has made it a personal matter between us. _The woman
actually thinks she can take me in!!!_" cried the captain, striking his
knife-handle on the table in a transport of virtuous indignation. "By
heavens, I never was so insulted before in my life! Draw your chair in
to the table, my dear, and give me half a minute's attention to what I
have to say next."
Magdalen obeyed him. Captain Wragge cautiously lowered his voice before
he went on.
"I have told you all along," he said, "the one thing needful is never to
let Mrs.
Pages:
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632