"Why not?" she answered. "I know my way about, and there is no one in St. Gaved who would molest me."
"You think so, perhaps," and he shot an angry glance at Rufus, who stood quite still, speaking no word.
"Of course I think so. Besides, I have not been alone."
"So I perceive. But had we not better return to the house and put an end to my mother's anxiety?"
"I am sure Lady Tregony is not the least bit anxious," she said, with a pout.
"I can assure you she is very much concerned. That is the reason I came to look for you."
"Oh, indeed!" and with a hurried good-night to Rufus she walked away toward the Hall.
Gervase was by her side in a moment. Rufus watched them till they had disappeared in the darkness, then turned, and made his way slowly in the direction of St. Gaved.
He could not help feeling amused at the encounter he had witnessed, though he was almost sorry that Gervase had seen them together. It was clear enough that the Captain was terribly angry, though he did his best not to show it. Possibly he was more than angry. Natures like his were apt to be jealous on the slightest provocation.
Rufus smiled broadly at the thought. The idea of a baronet's son being jealous of him was too comic for words. Yet such things had happened. Jealousy was often unreasonable. And if the Captain were really jealous it boded ill for Madeline's future happiness.