Only because the secret way is the sure way, with such a
woman as your wife. The more secret you can keep your intentions, the
more time you force her to waste in finding them out for herself.
That time which she loses is time gained from her treachery by the
admiral--time gained by Mr. George (if he is still a bachelor) for his
undisturbed choice of a lady--time gained, for her own security, by the
object of his choice, who might otherwise be the first object of your
wife's suspicion and your wife's hostility. Remember the bottle we
have discovered upstairs; and keep this desperate woman ignorant, and
therefore harmless, as long as you can. There is my advice, Mr. Noel,
in the fewest and plainest words. What do you say, sir? Am I almost
as clever in my way as your friend Mr. Bygrave? Can I, too, conspire a
little, when the object of my conspiracy is to assist your wishes and to
protect your friends?"
Permitted the use of his tongue at last, Noel Vanstone's admiration of
Mrs. Lecount expressed itself in terms precisely similar to those which
he had used on a former occasion, in paying his compliments to Captain
Wragge. "What a head you have got!" were the grateful words which he
had once spoken to Mrs.
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