"He does," replied Smeaton. "It was very imprudently revealed to him by one who had no business to meddle."
"That is strange--very strange," said the housekeeper, thoughtfully. "You are not married, are you, my lord?"
"No," answered Smeaton; "but I have much reason to believe he thinks I am."
"Ay, I see, I see," rejoined the housekeeper. "Now I understand it. But you must on no account let him know that I have recognised you. He is shrewd and keen. Beware of him, beware of him; for he pursues his objects without fear, or remorse, or hesitation; and few know what those objects are till it is too late to baffle him. He is a kind and good master to me, because I do everything he tells me, and he does not fancy that he can be watched as closely as he watches others; no, nor that a poor creature like me can perhaps make all his schemes prove vain. Well, well, we shall see. But have a care of him."
"I will," replied Smeaton; "and indeed I am upon my guard against him already. He is not aware that I know so much of his history and character as I do."
"He would not suffer you within these doors, if he did," returned the old woman. "But now you can come out in safety; for these people are all gone, and they fancy, from some stupid blunder of their own, that you have got off to sea in a boat, and a fat man with you, whom one of the soldiers vows he got hold of by the neck."
Smeaton laughed.
"I think I can explain one part of their mistake," he said; "and indeed I was going to ask your advice upon a point of some difficulty."
He then related to her all that had occurred with Van Noost and the soldiers, as far as he knew it; but, when he told her that the good statuary was even then waiting below, she shook her head gravely, saying--
"He must not be seen here on any account. Send him away, Henry, send him away, my lord--"