Eve winced a little, but she turned and tried to smile.
“But would it be wise, Mr Selwood?” exclaimed Mrs Glaire, eagerly.
“Yes; I think it would,” said the vicar, “if he can get there unseen. If these misguided men do search for him, that is one of the last places they will go to, I feel sure. But will you keep closely in hiding? Would it not be better to give way at once?” he continued, addressing Richard.
“I have said what I mean to do,” said Richard, sharply; “and what I say I keep to.”
The vicar bowed his head, and lent himself as much as was likely to be acceptable to the scheme; ending by saying, with a smile on his face—
“I hope, Miss Pelly, that this is the last of these unpleasant affairs we shall ever have here; for rest assured I shall lose no time in trying to bring the people to a better way of thinking.”
He rose and left them, it being thoroughly understood that Richard was to go into hiding that very night, while the vicar would communicate with the police, to ensure some protection for the house; though all felt it to be needless, as any attack was certain to be made on Richard personally.
As he reached the door, though, the vicar turned to Richard—
“Shall I come and be your companion every night? I will come. I can sleep on a bare board with any fellow, and,” he added, smiling, “I enjoy a pipe.”
Richard jumped eagerly at the idea, and was about to say yes, but the evil part of his nature prevailed.