“I’m saving it up,” the man answered. “Never mind what for. That’s my secret.”
He looked round the boat-house as he made that reply, and noticed Mrs. Crayford for the first time.
“A woman among you!” he said. “Is she English? Is she young? Let me look closer at her.”
He advanced a few steps toward the table.
“Don’t be afraid, Mrs. Crayford,” said Steventon.
“I am not afraid,” Mrs. Crayford replied. “He frightened me at first—he interests me now. Let him speak to me if he wishes it!”
He never spoke. He stood, in dead silence, looking long and anxiously at the beautiful Englishwoman.
“Well?” said Steventon.
He shook his head sadly, and drew back again with a heavy sigh.
“No!” he said to himself, “that’s not her face. No! not found yet.”