"You will, I know, excuse me if I do not stay long tonight. I must go back to the boy."
"You may go back now and then to see that all is well. But, after all, what is there to be afraid of?"
"Well, you know, I made an enemy to-day, and it might occur to him to revenge himself upon the child."
"But he can't get near the child. Your stage on the canal side is moored, Mr. Ray tells me, and we are here at this end of the other stage, and I don't think there is a small boat he could get on the whole canal. Besides, how is he to know but you are at home? I am sure you may make your mind quite easy."
"Still, if you allow me, I shall go early."
"You may go early to see that all is safe, but we will not let you say good-night until you are quite tired of us. Come in: Mr. Ray and my sister are in the front room."
Layard had purposely delayed a little while in the passage. He was a most affectionate and sympathetic brother, and he did not know but that the two people in the front room might have something to say to one another.
They had, but it did not seem matter of great interest or importance.
"Miss Layard," said Philip Ray when her brother had left the room, "you told me you never were on Boland's Ait."
"Never," she answered.