I acknowledge that we are in a false position, sir; and I tell
you plainly at the outset--your housekeeper is the cause of it."
For once in his life, Noel Vanstone opened his eyes. "Lecount!" he
exclaimed, in the utmost bewilderment.
"The same, sir," replied Captain Wragge. "I am afraid I offended Mrs.
Lecount, when she came here this morning, by a want of cordiality in my
manner. I am a plain man, and I can't assume what I don't feel. Far be
it from me to breathe a word against your housekeeper's character. She
is, no doubt, a most excellent and trustworthy woman, but she has one
serious failing common to persons at her time of life who occupy her
situation--she is jealous of her influence over her master, although you
may not have observed it."
"I beg your pardon," interposed Noel Vanstone; "my observation is
remarkably quick. Nothing escapes me."
"In that case, sir," resumed the captain, "you cannot fail to have
noticed that Mrs. Lecount has allowed her jealousy to affect her conduct
toward my niece?"
Noel Vanstone thought of the domestic passage at arms between Mrs.
Lecount and himself when his guests of the evening had left Sea View,
and failed to see his way to any direct reply.
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