“In a boat. Yes—comes and goes that way.”
Her statement is reliable, as Father Rogier has reason to believe—having an inkling of suspicion that the damsel has of late been casting sheep’s eyes, not at Captain Ryecroft, but his young boatman, and is as much interested in the movements of the Mary as either the boat’s owner or charterer.
“Always comes by water, and returns by it,” observes the priest, as if speaking to himself. “You’re quite sure of that, ma fille?”
“Oh, quite, Père!”
“Mademoiselle appears to be very partial to him. I think, you told me she often accompanies him down to the boat stair, at his departure?”
“Often! always.”
“Always?”
“Toujours! I never knew it otherwise. Either the boat stair, or the pavilion.”
“Ah! the summer-house! They hold their tête-à-tête there at times; do they?”
“Yes; they do.”