Of course I could hardly expect a sympathetic signal to be
actually made in church, but I did hope my performance would surely bear
fruit before many hours had passed.
At last the service ended, the commons crowded out, and the laird and his
daughter rose in their wake and greeted the minister on their way to the
door. I noticed that they did not introduce me, and also that the
Reverend Mr. Mackenzie regarded me--over Miss Rendall's shoulder--with a
sternly suspicious glance. Evidently he had heard ill of me already, and
hope burned higher. If the minister had heard dark rumours, surely the
spies had! Or anyhow they would when that congregation had all reached
their homes (if they were not among the congregation themselves).
We passed again through many eyes in the kirkyard, and then the Rev. Mr.
Mackenzie and the laird walked together for a short way and I found
myself alone with Miss Jean.
"I didn't see Dr. Rendall or Mr. O'Brien in church," I remarked.
"They very seldom come to church," said she.
"I gather that Mr. O'Brien is visiting the doctor," I observed.
"Yes," said she, in a tone that promised little further information.
"Has he been staying with him long?" I preserved.
"For some time."
"Old friends, I suppose."
She did not seem to hear me, and I gave it up--in the meanwhile; but to
myself I said complacently,
"Some mystery here!"
Presently I remarked,
"There was another face I didn't see--the island patriarch.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73