The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 206: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Tod EVIL GENIUS. 195 ‘*’‘We passed each other in the hall of the hotel at Sandyseal. You had a young lady with you,” ‘“‘ Your memory is a better one than mine, sir. I fail to re- member the circumstance to which you refer.” Bennydeck let the matter rest there. Struck by the remark- able appearance of embarrassment in Mrs. Presty’s manner, and feeling (in spite of Herbert’s politeness of language) increased distrust of the man whom he had found visiting her, he thought it might net be amiss to hint that she could rely on him in case of necessity. ‘‘ lam afraid I have interrupted a confidential in- terview,” he began; ‘‘and I ought, perhaps, to explain 67 Mrs. Presty listened absently; preoccupied by the fear that Herbert would provoke a dangerous disclosure, and by the diffi- culty of discovering a means of preventing it, she interrupted the captain. ‘‘ Excuse me for one moment; I have a word to say to this gentleman.” Kennydeck immediately drew back, and Mrs. Presty lowered her voice. ‘‘If you wish to see Kitty,” she re- sumed, attacking Herbert on his weak side, ‘‘ it depends entirely on your discretion.” ‘* What do vou mean by discretion ?” ‘* Be careful not to speak of our family troubles—and I promise you shall see Kitty. That is what I mean.” Herbert declined to say whether he would be careful or not. He was determined to find out, first, with what purpose Bennydeck had entered the room. ‘The gentleman was about to explain himself to you,” he said to Mrs. Presty. ‘‘ Why don’t you give him the opportunity ?” She had no choice but to submit—in appearance, at least. Never had she hated Herbert as she hated him at that moment. The captain went on with his explanation. He had his reasons, he said, for hesitating, in the first instance, to present himself uninvited, and he had accordingly retired. Onsecond thoughts, however, he had returned, in the hope—— ‘‘In the hope,” Herbert, interposed, ‘‘ of seeing Mrs. Presty’s daughter ?” ‘* That was one of my motives,” Bennydeck answered. ‘Ts it indiscreet to inquire what the other motive was ?” “Not at all. I heard a stranger’s voice, speaking in a tone which, to say the least of it, is not customary in a lady’s room; and [ thought % Herbert interrupted him again. ‘‘ And you thought your in- terference might be welcome to the lady! Am I right?” ‘* Quite right.” ‘*Am I making another lucky guess, if I suppose myself to be speaking to Captain Bennydeck ?” ‘*T sball be glad to hear, sir, how you have arrived at the knowledge of my name.” ‘‘ Shall we say, captain, that I have arrived at it by instinct ?” His face, as he made that reply, alarmed Mrs. Presty. She cast a look at him, partly of entreaty, partly of warning. No effect was produced by the look. He continued, in a tone of ironical CONRNICLAOO S (CO) m