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Chapter 18
“Shehasgoneout.”
Mrs.Grosestared.“Withoutahat?”
Inaturallyalsolookedvolumes.“Isn’tthatwomanalwayswithoutone?”
“She’swithher?”
“She’swithher!”Ideclared.“Wemustfindthem.”
Myhandwasonmyfriend’sarm,butshefailedforthemoment,confrontedwithsuchanaccountofthematter,torespondtomypressure.Shecommuned,onthecontrary,onthespot,withheruneasiness.“Andwhere’sMasterMiles?”
“Oh,he’swithQuint.They’reintheschoolroom.”
“Lord,miss!”Myview,Iwasmyselfaware—andthereforeIsupposemytone—hadneveryetreachedsocalmanassurance.
“Thetrick’splayed,”Iwenton;“they’vesuccessfullyworkedtheirplan.Hefoundthemostdivinelittlewaytokeepmequietwhileshewentoff.”
“‘Divine’?”Mrs.Grosebewilderedlyechoed.
“Infernal,then!”Ialmostcheerfullyrejoined.“Hehasprovidedforhimselfaswell.Butcome!”
Shehadhelplesslygloomedattheupperregions.“Youleavehim—?”
“SolongwithQuint?Yes—Idon’tmindthatnow.”
Shealwaysended,atthesemoments,bygettingpossessionofmyhand,andinthismannershecouldatpresentstillstayme.Butaftergaspinganinstantatmysuddenresignation,“Becauseofyourletter?”sheeagerlybroughtout.
Iquickly,bywayofanswer,feltformyletter,drewitforth,helditup,andthen,freeingmyself,wentandlaiditonthegreathalltable.“Lukewilltakeit,”IsaidasIcameback.Ireachedthehousedoorandopenedit;Iwasalreadyonthesteps
