Some News of Dr. Livingston

           Leftalone,Mrs.Weldonatfirstonlyfixedhermindonthisthought,thateightdayswouldpassbeforeNegorowouldreturnforadefiniteanswer.Therewastimetoreflectanddecideonacourseofaction.TherecouldbenoquestionofthePortuguese’sprobityexceptinhisowninterest.The"marketvalue"thatheattributedtohisprisonerwouldevidentlybeasafeguardforher,andprotectherforthetime,atleast,againstanytemptationthatmightputherindanger.PerhapsshewouldthinkofacompromisethatwouldrestorehertoherhusbandwithoutobligingMr.WeldontocometoKazounde.Onreceiptofaletterfromhiswife,shewellknewthatJamesWeldonwouldsetout.HewouldbravetheperilsofthisjourneyintothemostdangerouscountriesofAfrica.But,onceatKazounde,whenNegoroshouldhavethatfortuneofahundredthousanddollarsinhishands,whatguarantywouldJamesW.Weldon,hiswife,hissonandCousinBenedicthave,thattheywouldbeallowedtodepart?CouldnotQueenMoini’scapricepreventthem?Wouldnotthis"sale"ofMrs.Weldonandhersbebetteraccomplishedifittookplaceatthecoast,atsomepointagreedupon,whichwouldspareMr.Weldonboththedangersofthejourneytotheinterior,andthedifficulties,nottosaytheimpossibilities,ofareturn?

           SoreflectedMrs.Weldon.ThatwaswhyshehadrefusedatoncetoaccedetoNegoro’spropositionandgivehimaletterforherhusband.Shealsothoughtthat,ifNegorohadputoffhissecondvisitforeightdays,itwasbecauseheneededthattimetoprepareforhisjourney.