Vanstone--strictly in confidence.
Good-morning!"
With these parting words, the captain bowed his visitor out. Unless some
unexpected disaster occurred, he now saw his way safely to the end
of the enterprise. He had gained two important steps in advance that
morning. He had sown the seeds of variance between the housekeeper
and her master, and he had given Noel Vanstone a common interest with
Magdalen and himself, in keeping a secret from Mrs. Lecount. "We
have caught our man," thought Captain Wragge, cheerfully rubbing his
hands--"we have caught our man at last!"
On leaving North Shingles Noel Vanstone walked straight home, fully
restored to his place in his own estimation, and sternly determined to
carry matters with a high hand if he found himself in collision with
Mrs. Lecount.
The housekeeper received her master at the door with her mildest manner
and her gentlest smile. She addressed him with downcast eyes; she
opposed to his contemplated assertion of independence a barrier of
impenetrable respect.
"May I venture to ask, sir," she began, "if your visit to North Shingles
has led you to form the same conclusion as mine on the subject of Miss
Bygrave's illness?"
"Certainly not, Lecount.
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