of keeping her here is
only one risk more. I will face it, Captain Wragge, if you won't."

"Think twice," said the captain, gravely, "before you decide on keeping
Mrs. Wragge."

"Once is enough," rejoined Magdalen. "I won't have her sent away."

"Very good," said the captain, resignedly. "I never interfere with
questions of sentiment. But I have a word to say on my own behalf. If
my services are to be of any use to you, I can't have my hands tied
at starting. This is serious. I won't trust my wife and Mrs. Lecount
together. I'm afraid, if you're not, and I make it a condition that,
if Mrs. Wragge stops here, she keeps her room. If you think her health
requires it, you can take her for a walk early in the morning, or late
in the evening; but you must never trust her out with the servant, and
never trust her out by herself. I put the matter plainly, it is too
important to be trifled with. What do you say--yes or no?"

"I say yes," replied Magdalen, after a moment's consideration. "On the
understanding that I am to take her out walking, as you propose."

Captain Wragge bowed, and recovered his suavity of manner. "What are our
plans?" he inquired. "Shall we start our enterprise this afternoon? Are
you ready for your introduction to Mrs. Lecount and her master?"

"Quite ready."

"Good again. We will meet them on the Parade, at their usual hour for
going out--two o'clock. It is no t twelve yet. I have two hours before
me--just time enough to fit my wife into her new Skin. The process is
absolutely necessary, to prevent her compromising us with the servant.
Don't be afraid about the results; Mrs. Wragge has had a copious
selection of assumed names hammered into her head in the course of
her matrimonial career. It is merely a question of hammering hard
enough--nothing more. I think we have settled everything now. Is there
anything I can do before two o'clock? Have you any employment for the
morning?"

"No," said Magdalen. "I shall go back to my own room, and try to rest."

"You had a disturbed night, I am afraid?" said the captain, politely
opening the door for her.

"I fell asleep once or twice," she answered, carelessly. "I suppose my
nerves are a little shaken. The bold black eyes of that man who stared
so rudely at me yesterday evening seemed to be looking at me again in
my dreams. If we see him to-day, and if he annoys me any more, I must
trouble you to speak to him. We will meet here again at two o'clock.
Don'