“Hears something?” said Laura slowly.
“Yes,” said Max in a whisper; “hears something. I had nearly ripened my plans, only this evasion of hers disturbs them, and now I have to begin all over again.”
“But are you sure he has been trying to find out where she is gone?”
“Certain of it; yes, bai Jove, I am!”
“How cruel!—how treacherous!” muttered Laura.
“There, don’t go into the high flights, and spoon!” said Max roughly. “Set your wits to work. And look here, Laury, take my advice. Now, then, are you listening?”
“Yes—yes!” cried Laura, for she had been pressing her hands abstractedly together.
“Then look here. Don’t show that you either hear or see anything. I have him on the hip in a way he little thinks for. What you have to do is to meet him always with the same gentle unvarying kindness. Wink at everything you hear about him; and even if he comes to you straight from her, you must receive him with open arms. Do you hear me?”
“Yes,” said Laura bitterly; “I hear.”
“For, bai Jove! he’s not the man to be played with! Any show of jealousy, or whim, or snubbing, or any of that confounded tabby-foolery you women are so well up in, will drive him away.”