“No, James; I would sooner have died than consented to such a proceeding.”
“Not you. Now be quiet.”
“Going out, dear?”
“Only round the house for a few minutes. By the way, have you examined Eliza—asked her what Kate has taken with her?”
“Yes, dear. Nothing at all but her hat, scarf, and cloak. Such a shabby way of getting married.”
“Never mind that,” said Wilton; and he went into the hall, through the porch and on to the place where the ladder had been found.
There was little to find there but the deep impressions made by the heels, except that a man’s footprints were plainly to be seen; and Wilton returned to his wife, rang the bell, and assuming his most judicial air waited.
“Send Miss Kate’s maid here,” he said, sternly.
“Yes, sir.”
“Stop. Look here, Samuel, you are my servant, and I call upon you to speak the whole truth to me about this matter, one which, on further thought, I feel it to be my duty to investigate. Now, tell me, did you know anything about this proceeding on Mr Claud’s part?”