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Natalie had but too accurately guessed what would happen. The death of the villain's accomplice had freed him from all apprehension in that quarter. He had deliberately dogged Launce's steps, and had deliberately allowed him to put himself in the wrong by effecting a secret entrance into the house. There was an interval a horrible interval and then they heard the front door opened.
Launce's she always had a feed of corn to support her on the return journey. Therefore, being now more than half way, she preferred St. Launce's. But Elfride did not remember this now. All she cared to recognize was a dreamy fancy that to-day's rash action was not her own. She was disabled by her moods, and it seemed indispensable to adhere to the programme.
'That's convenient, not to say odd. Well, I am detained in London for a day or two; then I am going down to see my father and mother, who live at St. Launce's now. Will you see me this evening? 'I may; but I will not promise. I was wishing to be alone for an hour or two; but I shall know where to find you, at any rate. Good-bye. 'Jealousy is cruel as the grave.
While these few words were being exchanged among the elders, a private communication was in course of progress between the two young people under the cabin table. Natalie's smartly-slippered foot felt its way cautiously inch by inch over the carpet till it touched Launce's boot.
'Have you been in England long? said Knight. 'Only two days, said Smith. 'India ever since? 'Nearly ever since. 'They were making a fuss about you at St. Launce's last year. I fancy I saw something of the sort in the papers. 'Yes; I believe something was said about me. 'I must congratulate you on your achievements. 'Thanks, but they are nothing very extraordinary.
Apparently conscious that Launce was looking at him though he never turned his head Launce's way he laid his elbow on the table, lifted his arm, and so rested his face on his hand, while the story went on, as to screen it effectually from the young surgeon's view. "The man was brought on board," proceeded Sir Joseph, "sure enough, with a hen-coop on which he had been found floating.
He might almost have been alluding to some harmless domestic animal. Natalie's color deepened. Her hand pressed Launce's hand gently. Turlington still persisted. "I must once more request seriously request that you will check this growing intimacy. I don't object to your asking him to the house when you ask other friends. Is that understood between us?"
Left to her own inventive resources, Natalie had first suggested the young surgeon's medical studies as Launce's unanswerable excuse for shutting himself up at intervals in the lower regions, and had then hit on the happy idea of tearing her trimmings, and condemning herself to repair her own carelessness, as the all-sufficient reason for similar acts of self-seclusion on her side.
They waited yet a little, and the train slackened its speed in view of the platform at St. Launce's. She shivered, and mused sadly. 'I did not see all the consequences, she said. 'Appearances are wofully against me. If anybody finds me out, I am, I suppose, disgraced. 'Then appearances will speak falsely; and how can that matter, even if they do?
Richard's name had suddenly recalled to her memory Launce's mysterious allusion, at the outset of the interview, to the owner of the yacht. "What was that you said about Richard just now?" she asked. What was it?" "I noticed Richard's face, Natalie, when your father told us that the man overboard was not one of the pilot-boat's crew. He turned ghastly pale. He looked guilty " "Guilty? Of what?"
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