If you
are early, too, and if you would like to join us, I need hardly say that
we can feel no objection to your company on our morning walk. The hour,
I am aware, is an unusual one--but later in the day my niece may be
resting on the sofa, and may not be able to see visitors."
Having made this proposal purely for the purpose of enabling Noel
Vanstone to escape to North Shingles at an hour in the morning when his
housekeeper would be probably in bed, Captain Wragge left him to take
the hint, if he could, as indirectly as it had been given. He proved
sharp enough (the case being one in which his own interests were
concerned) to close with the proposal on the spot. Politely declaring
that he was always an early man when the morning presented any special
attraction to him, he accepted the appointment for seven o'clock, and
rose soon afterward to take his leave.
"One word at parting," said Captain Wragge. "This conversation is
entirely between ourselves. Mrs. Lecount must know nothing of the
impression she has produced on my niece. I have only mentioned it to you
to account for my apparently churlish conduct and to satisfy your
own mind. In confidence, Mr.
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