Above all she wanted
to cry. She knew that it would be very good for her. She had often
found a singular relief in tears when vexed by things beyond her
understanding. But she had to think of that flock of gallants in
the ballroom waiting to pay court to her and of her duty towards
them of preserving her beauty unimpaired by the ravages of a vented
sorrow.
Tremayne sat down beside her. "So now that we understand each
other on that score, let us consider ways and means to dispose of
Dick."
At once she was uplifted and became all eagerness.
"Yes, Yes. You will help me, Ned?"
"You can depend upon me to do all in human power."
He thought rapidly, and gave voice to some of his thoughts. "If I
could I would take him to my lodgings at Alcantara. But Carruthers
knows him and would see him there. So that is out of the question.
Then again it is dangerous to move him about. At any moment he
might be seen and recognised."
"Hardly recognised," she said. "His beard disguises him, and his
dress - " She shuddered at the very thought of the figure he had
cut, he, the jaunty, dandy Richard Butler.
"That is something, of course," he agreed. And then asked: "How
long do you think that you could keep him hidden?"
"I don't know.
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