Tor sincerely hoped that they would prove right.
CHAPTER VI.
DISCOMFITED.
hen Belassis heard that his troublesome nephew had gone to Germany, and would probably be absent for a week, he seemed to breathe more freely again; for since the evening on which he had heard of the sudden visit to Whitbury, he had felt like one who lives with a drawn sword suspended over his head. Not even his conversation in the field on the following day had restored his shaken equanimity, for he was not at all assured that his statement had been believed, although it had not been contradicted. Belassis and his wife had both ample food for meditation, and were glad of the respite which this visit to Germany had afforded.
‘Now is our time, if ever, to search for the will,’ said Mrs. Belassis, the same evening that Lewis had told them of the sudden journey. ‘Why did we not have this clue before, when Ladywell stood empty? We could have done anything then. Now it may be difficult, and even dangerous.’
Belassis shook his head helplessly, and did not know what to suggest.
‘You never do,’ returned his wife coolly. ‘I can’t think what has come to you, Alfred; you used to have plenty of assurance, and meddled with matters you had much better have let alone, and now that a real emergency has come, you are no better than a girl. I’d be ashamed to be such a poor creature.’
Belassis did not resent this language, for he felt himself a poor creature enough at that moment. What his wife said of him was only too true. Some change had come over him for which he could not account, and his old cunning and craft seemed to have entirely deserted him.