"I shall wait till Roger comes back before I do anything."
"I take for granted that Roger Manvers and his cousin Janey will never say a word against you?—that they will never 'tell,' as the children say."
"I am sure they never will."
"And much good that will do you when your signature is fixed to Dick's will! That fact must become known, and your position at Fontainebleau is bound to leak out. Roger can't prove the will without giving you away. Do you understand that?"
"I had not thought of it."
"Then every man, woman, and child at Riff, including your aunts, will know about you."
"Yes,"—a very faint "Yes," through white lips.
"And they will all, with one consent, especially your aunts, believe the worst."
"I am afraid they will."
There was a long silence.