"You have no confidence in me then? And yet you say you love me.
Why, confidence is the very soul of love."
"Oh, yes, I love you, Malcolm. I love you more than words can tell. And it is for your safety as well as for my own that I am so cautious. And I have confidence in you, Malcolm. Only, being alone, you may not be able to do the work effectually. I must help you. The house is all still; everybody has retired; can we not go now and remove it?"
"No, not now; there is a vessel lying at anchor close under the shore. We must wait until she moves off."
"And the vessel may lay there a whole week. And in the meantime what becomes of the body?" exclaimed Faustina, her eyes wild with apprehension.
"I am assured by those who know, that the vessel will sail with the first tide to-morrow morning. So be tranquil. And now, Faustina, there is another subject which we must settle to-night. Lady Vincent leaves the castle early to-morrow morning. That is necessary; and though it cleaves my heart in two to part with you, I must do it for a season. The world must have no cause to talk of you and me, Faustina; of you, especially, for of you it would be the most likely to talk."
"Why of me?" inquired the ex-opera singer testily.
"Because, my dearest, you have more beauty and genius and fame than the world ever forgives in a woman," answered the viscount artfully.
"Oh!" said the siren, with an air of arch incredulity.
"And now, Faustina, it shall be for you to decide. Shall you remain here, with Mrs. MacDonald for a companion and chaperon, while I go to London to take the preliminary steps towards the divorce; or shall you go to Brighton or Torquay, or any other watering-place on the South Coast?"
Mrs. Dugald was very astute; she answered promptly: