‘Your manner seems to say so.’
‘Well, he may not always be kind. But look at my face; does the mark show?’
A streak, straight as a meridian, was visible down her cheek. The blood had been brought almost to the surface, but was not quite through, that which had originally appeared thereon having possibly come from the horse. It signified that to-morrow the red line would be a black one.
Swithin informed her that her brother had taken a ticket for Warborne, and she at once perceived that he was going on to visit her at Welland, though from his letter she had not expected him so soon by a few days. ‘Meanwhile,’ continued Swithin, ‘you can now get home only by the late train, having missed that one.’
‘But, Swithin, don’t you see my new trouble? If I go to Welland House to-night, and find my brother just arrived there, and he sees this cut on my face, which I suppose you described to him—’
‘I did.’
‘He will know I was the lady with you!’
‘Whom he called my wife. I wonder why we look husband and wife already!’
‘Then what am I to do? For the ensuing three or four days I bear in my face a clue to his discovery of our secret.’
‘Then you must not be seen. We must stay at an inn here.’