"And she was very eager to pursue her journey. She must have come by here. Did n't you hear the wheels?"
"No—I—I—was n't thinking." But she was thinking now. The next instant she cried, "I must go, I must go at once."
"But where?"
"Why, back home, of course! Where else should I go? Oh, I may be too late!"
Unquestionably she knew something—how much the Captain could not tell. His feelings may be imagined. His voice was low, and very compassionate as he asked:
"You 'll go home? When she 's there? At least, if I conclude rightly—"
"Yes, I must go. I must get there before she sees Andrea, otherwise, all will be lost."
For the instant her agitation seemed to make her forget Dieppe's presence, or what he might think of her manner. Now she recovered herself. "I mean—I mean—I want to speak to her. I must tell her—"
"Tell her nothing. Confront her with that." And the Captain produced the gold locket with an air of much solemnity.
His action did not miss its effect. She gazed at the locket in apparent bewilderment.