“And I wouldn’t for a thousand more,” said Captain Fordyce, coolly.
“Would not this be a good time to inform her of the true state of affairs?” interposed Mrs. Danvers. “Is not truth always better than error?”
Captain Fordyce frowned at her, Mr. Danvers ejaculated, “Hold your tongue, Melinda;” but nothing further could be said, for at that instant Nina came gliding back.
“Here is your hat, daddy dear,” then, tucking her hand under his arm, she left the room with him.
Mrs. Danvers followed the two with a peculiar glance, and Captain Fordyce, seeing it, smiled.
“Are her traps in order for travelling?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, laconically.
“I will take her away to-morrow.”
She looked slightly ashamed, and fell into a silence that lasted until Nina returned, when she wandered away into the kitchen.
The girl had been standing a long time at the gate watching the sorrowful lines of the substantial figure plodding across the meadows. Her face was flushed and disturbed; and, scarcely knowing what she did, she seated herself at the table and made a blind onslaught on a loaf of bread.