She turned her head aside, absently tying her watch-chain into a loop
and untying it again, evidently thinking with the closest attention
over what he had last said to her. Captain Wragge walked uneasily to the
window and looked out. The first object that caught his eye was Mr. Noel
Vanstone approaching from Sea View. He returned instantly to his former
place in the room, and addressed himself to Magdalen once more.
"Here is Mr. Noel Vanstone," he said. "One last caution before he comes
in. Be on your guard with him about your age. He put the question to
me before he got the License. I took the shortest way out of the
difficulty, and told him you were twenty-one, and he made the
declaration accordingly. Never mind about _me_; after to-morrow I am
invisible. But, in your own interests, don't forget, if the subject
turns up, that you were of age when you were married. There is nothing
more. You are provided with every necessary warning that I can give you.
Whatever happens in the future, remember I have done my best."
He hurried to the door without waiting for an answer, and went out into
the garden to receive his guest.
Noel Vanstone made his appearance at the gate, solemnly carrying
his bridal offering to North Shingles with both hands.
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