'I am naturally interested in meeting any one who knew my husband so well,' Lady Maud said, making a bold dash at a possibility. 'We had many differences, [{365}] as you seem to know, but I daresay that if he could come back to life and know the real truth, we should forgive each other.'
She looked up to him with a gentle smile as she said this, for she had often felt it; and in that instant a flash of light came into his usually rather uncertain eyes. Her heart stood still; she looked at the sea again directly, for she was leaning against the rail; then she drew breath, as if from an effort. She had seen a look that could only mean recognition. Leven was alive and was standing beside her. But she had the courage to go on talking, after a moment, and she tried to change the subject, though not very adroitly.
During the afternoon Mr. Van Torp had a revelation, sudden and clear, for he had watched Lady Maud and Kralinsky all day and had thought about them a good deal, considering how his mind was occupied with other matters even nearer to his heart than his best friend's welfare. As soon as the revelation came upon him he rang for his own man.
Stemp, see here!' he began. 'You've valeted around with all sorts of different-looking men. How long does it take to grow a beard like Count Kralinsky's?'
'A year, sir. Not a day less, and longer with most gentlemen. If you were thinking of it, sir——'
'You don't believe it could be managed in three months, by taking an expert around with you to work on your face?'
'That's out of the question, sir. Gentlemen's beards that have shaved all their lives, as I suppose you have, [{366}] sir, do grow faster, but I should consider a year a short time for such a fine one as the Count's. Indeed I should, sir.'
'Do you suppose you could stick it on fresh every day, the way they do for the stage?'
'Not so that it wouldn't show in broad daylight, sir.'
'Well, that's all. I wasn't exactly thinking of trying a beard. I was only thinking—just like that. What I rang for was a cap. Got any more like this? You see I've managed to get a spot of ink on this one. Had it on the table when I was writing, I suppose. That's the worst of white caps, they spot so.'