If I let the grass grow under my
feet, one or the other of those women might get in my way." Roused by
this consideration, she produced her traveling-bag from a corner, as
soon as the last of the servants had entered the room; and seating
herself at the end of the table opposite Noel Vanstone, looked at him
for a moment, with a steady, investigating attention. She had carefully
regulated the quantity of wine which he had taken at luncheon--she had
let him drink exactly enough to fortify, without confusing him; and she
now examined his face critically, like an artist examining his picture
at the end of the day's work. The result appeared to satisfy her, and
she opened the serious business of the interview on the spot.
"Will you look at the written evidence I have mentioned to you, Mr.
Noel, before I say any more?" she inquired. "Or are you sufficiently
persuaded of the truth to proceed at once to the suggestion which I have
now to make to you?"
"Let me hear your suggestion," he said, sullenly resting his elbows on
the table, and leaning his head on his hands.
Mrs. Lecount took from her traveling-bag the written evidence to which
she had just alluded, and carefully placed the papers on one side of
him, within easy reach, if he wished to refer to them.
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