“He received me like a gentleman—that is all I think it necessary to say, Lecount—he received me like a gentleman.”
This answer satisfied Mrs. Lecount on the one doubtful point that had perplexed her. Whatever Mr. Bygrave’s sudden coolness toward herself might mean, his polite reception of her master implied that the risk of detection had not daunted him, and that the plot was still in full progress. The housekeeper’s eyes brightened; she had expressly calculated on this result. After a moment’s thinking, she addressed her master with another question: “You will probably visit Mr. Bygrave again, sir?”
“Of course I shall visit him—if I please.”
“And perhaps see Miss Bygrave, if she gets better?”
“Why not? I should be glad to know why not? Is it necessary to ask your leave first, Lecount?”
“By no means, sir. As you have often said (and as I have often agreed with you), you are master. It may surprise you to hear it, Mr. Noel, but I have a private reason for wishing that you should see Miss Bygrave again.”
Mr. Noel started a little, and looked at his housekeeper with some curiosity.
“I have a strange fancy of my own, sir, about that young lady,” proceeded Mrs. Lecount. “If you will excuse my fancy, and indulge it, you will do me a favor for which I shall be very grateful.”
“A fancy?” repeated her master, in growing surprise. “What fancy?”
“Only this, sir,” said Mrs. Lecount.