No straighter, more honourable man
breathes than he. He was one of the victims of ignorance and crooked
reasoning, but, thank God! he was spared the worst."
"He was--not."
"Dick, in God's name, what do you mean?"
"Hapgood was called in. Huntter has not been in Bermuda; he has been
right here in New York, under Hapgood's care."
"And Hapgood--told you?"
A purplish flush dyed Ledyard's face.
"No."
"Who, then? No sidetracking, Dick. Who?"
"The--the nurse."
"She-devil! Fell in love with her patient? I've struck that kind----"
"Stop!"
Both men were on their feet and glaring at each other.
"You are speaking of my future--wife!"
Ledyard loosened his collar and--laughed!
"You're mad!" he said faintly, "or a damned fool!"
"I'm neither. I am engaged to marry Priscilla Glynn; have been since the
summer. I meant to tell you and mother to-night. I went to her from the
vessel. Priscilla Glynn took care of Huntter without knowing of his
connection in the Moffatt affair. Above all else in the world"--Travers's
voice shook--"she adores Margaret Moffatt, knows her intimately, and
wishes, blindly, to serve her as she understands her.
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