She bent
quickly and kissed me. I wondered why, as she stepped past the
Captain and he followed her down the verandah steps.
I wished to be left alone. I was puzzled, and what puzzled me
was that neither Miss Belcher nor Dr. Beauregard had left the
dining-room. In fact, as I passed out through the window, happening
to turn my head, I had caught sight of his face, and it had signalled
to her to stay. I knew not why he should intend harm to Miss Belcher
rather than to any other of our party. But I distrusted the man; and
Plinny had scarcely left me before, having made sure that Mr. Rogers
and Mr. Goodfellow were within easy call, I rose up softly, crept to
the dining-room window, and, dropping upon hands and knees close by
the wall, peered into the room.
The Doctor and Miss Belcher had reseated themselves, He had poured
himself out another glass of wine and was holding it up to the light
with a steady hand, while she watched him, her elbows on the table
and her firm jaw resting on her clasped fingers. Her face, though it
showed no sign of fear, was pallid.
"Yes," he was saying slowly; "it is too late at this hour to be
discussing what the priests would call the sin of it. You would
never convince me; and if you convinced me, I am too old--and too
weary--for what the priests call repentance.
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