When they reached the boat at Holyhead, Mrs. Davenport said good-night and descended to the ladies' cabin. The two friends got on the bridge, and as soon as the steamer had started O'Brien took Paulton to the weather bulwark, and told him the substance of the telegram Mrs. Davenport had sent to London.
To O'Brien's astonishment, the younger man made nothing of the matter. It was simply a business affair, he said: nothing of any moment. From all they had heard, Blake knew more than they had supposed of the dead man's affairs; and now that Mrs. Davenport had resolved not to take the fortune her husband had left her, it was almost certain Blake could be of assistance to her.
After a little while it was agreed that the bridge was too cold for Alfred, so both men went below and lay down. O'Brien fell asleep, and did not awake until he was called close to Kingstown.
It was a dreary, cold, bleak morning, with thin sunlight. There had been rain in the night, and everything looked chill and depressing. The passage had been smooth, and none of the three had suffered by it beyond the spiritless depression arising from imperfect rest and fatigue.
When they alighted at Westland Row, Jerry suggested that they should send on their luggage to the King's Bridge terminus, and seek breakfast.
"Not my luggage," said Mrs. Davenport; "I am not going to Kilcash to-day. Kindly get me a cab. I will stay at the 'Tourists' Hotel.' I have telegraphed, as you know, to Mr. Blake to come over, and will send him word to meet me there. I am extremely obliged to both of you for all your kindnesses on the way."
Alfred started, and Jerry looked surprised.
"You are," the latter said, "quite sure you prefer staying here. Of course I do not presume to interfere; but perhaps it might be more convenient for you, Mrs. Davenport, if Mr. Blake followed you to Kilcash?"
"I am quite sure," she said, decisively, "that it would be best for me to stay in Dublin for the present."
"If you simply wanted rest, we could wait for you a day or two," said Alfred, out of whose face all look of animation had gone.