I was as smooth and cool as yonder chimneypiece, and
she has an awful evil eye to stan' against; but I never flinched, and I
think she's puzzled, for as cunning as she is, whether I believe all she
said, or knowed 'twas a pack o' stories. So I told her your message, and
she said she had not heard another word since; but she did believe we had
not many more days here, and would tell you if she heard to-night, when she
brought his soup to your uncle, in half an hour's time.'
I asked her, as soon as I could speak, whether she was perfectly certain as
to the fact that the man in the surtout was Dudley, and she made answer--
'I'd swear to him on that Bible, Miss.'
So far from any longer wishing Madame's return that night, I trembled at
the idea of it. Who could tell who might enter the room with her when the
door opened to admit her?
Dudley, so soon as he recovered the surprise, had turned about, evidently
anxious to prevent recognition; Dickon Hawkes stood glowering at her. Both
might have hope of escaping recognition in the imperfect light, for the
candle on the chimneypiece was flaring in the air, and the light from the
lantern fell in spots, and was confusing.
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