“I am all ready,” he replied, in a clear, cold, alert voice. “Now sit down.”
His tone was not to be resisted. The woman seated herself quietly and waited.
“My affectionate Uncle Lawrence has given me a large sum of money, and recommends travelling for my health. The money is in bills on London and Paris. To-morrow morning we sail. We post to London—get the money; same day to Paris—get the money; straight on to Marseilles, and sail for Sicily. There we can take breath.”
He spoke rapidly, but calmly. She heard and understood every word.
“I wish we could sail to-night,” she said.
“Plenty of time—plenty of time,” answered Abel. “And why be so anxious for so long a journey?”
“It seems long to you, too?”
“Why, yes; it will be long. Yes, I am going on a long journey.”
He smiled with the hard black eyes a hard black smile. Kitty did not smile; but she took his hand gently.
Abel shook his head, mockingly.