the name is a new one to her. But she made it very evident that she was not surprised to hear that her mistress was in secret correspondence with a member of the male sex. Much can be hidden from servants, but not that.”
“I’ll find the man; I have a double reason for doing that now; he shall not escape me.”
Dr. Heath expressed his satisfaction, and gave some orders. Meanwhile, Mr. Gryce had not uttered a word.
VIII. STRANGE DOINGS FOR GEORGE
That evening George sat so long over the newspapers that in spite of my absorbing interest in the topic engrossing me, I fell asleep in my cozy little rocking chair. I was awakened by what seemed like a kiss falling very softly on my forehead, though, to be sure, it may have been only the flap of George’s coat sleeve as he stooped over me.
“Wake up, little woman,” I heard, “and trot away to bed. I’m going out and may not be in till daybreak.”
“You! going out! at ten o’clock at night, tired as you are—as we both are! What has happened—Oh!”
This broken exclamation escaped me as I perceived in the dim background by the sitting-room door, the figure of a man who called up recent, but very thrilling experiences.
“Mr. Sweetwater,” explained George. “We are going out together. It is necessary, or you may be sure I should not leave you.”
I was quite wide awake enough by now to understand. “Oh, I know. You are going to hunt up the man. How I wish—”
But George did not wait for me to express my wishes. He gave me a little good advice as to how I had better employ my time in his absence, and was off before I could find words to answer.
This ends all I have to say about myself; but the events of that night carefully related to me by George are important enough for me to describe them, with all the detail which is their rightful due. I shall tell the story as I have already been led to do in other portions of this narrative, as though I were present and shared the adventure.
As
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