‘I am anxious that she may not be insulted again.’
‘Did she show herself conscious of it?’
‘She stopped speaking: she looked at the door. She may come again—or never! through that man!’
‘You receive him, at his pleasure?’
‘Captain Marsett wishes me to. He is on his way home. He calls Major Worrell my pet spite. All I want is; not to hear of the man. I swear he came yesterday on the chance of seeing—for he forced his way up past my servant; he must have seen Miss Radnor’s maid below.’
‘You don’t mean, that he insulted her hearing?’
‘Oh! Captain Fenellan, you know the style.’
‘Well, I thank you,’ Dartrey said. ‘The young lady is the daughter of my dearest friends. She’s one of the precious—you’re quite right. Keep the tears back.’
‘I will.’ She heaved open-mouthed to get physical control of the tide. ‘When you say that of her!—how can I help it? It’s I fear, because I fear... and I’ve no right to expect ever... but if I’m never again to look on that dear face, tell her I shall—I shall pray for her in my grave. Tell her she has done all a woman can, an angel can, to save my soul. I speak truth: my very soul! I could never go to the utter bad after knowing her. I don’t—you know the world—I’m a poor helpless woman!—don’t swear to give up my Ned if he does break the word he promised once; I can’t see how I could. I haven’t her courage. I haven’t—what it is! You know her: it’s in her eyes and her voice. If I had her beside me, then I could starve or go to execution—I could, I am certain. Here I am, going to do what you men hate. Let me sit.’
‘Here’s a chair,’ said Dartrey. ‘I’ve no time to spare; good day, for the present. You will permit me to call.’