‘Oh, don’t talk of that,’ she said wearily. ‘I did throw myself into the water. I thought it would be better for all concerned, myself especially; but some well-meaning people pulled me out again, and when I found that the world believed me to be gone, I thought it just as well not to undeceive it. That is all. Of course I had no idea you would ever come here, or meet me again. As it is, all I wish is that you should leave Usk without betraying my secret to my parents.’
‘You may depend on me, Miss Llewellyn,’ said Portland. ‘But does Ilfracombe know of your proximity?’
A gleam of pleasure lighted up her features.
‘Yes. I met him yesterday, quite by accident, and he was as surprised to see me as you are. But he was glad—very glad.’
(‘Hullo!’ thought Jack to himself; ‘then this accounts for his sudden determination to go?’)
But aloud he said,—
‘Of course he would be, as we all are. And now, may I ask what you were doing in my room, Miss Llewellyn?’
‘Yes,’ she answered boldly. ‘I came down here in your absence to see if I could find the packet of letters which you refused to give to Lady Ilfracombe.’
‘The packet of letters!’ he exclaimed, completely startled out of his usual prudence. How can you know anything about her letters? Who can have told you?’
‘No one has told me. My bedroom window is up there, and I overheard you talking to her to-night. I did not miss a single word of your conversation.’