There was one excellent reason why Noel Vanstone should take Captain Wragge’s conciliatory advice.  An open rupture with Mrs. Lecount—­even if he could have summoned the courage to face it—­would imply the recognition of her claims to a provision, in acknowledgment of the services she had rendered to his father and to himself.  His sordid nature quailed within him at the bare prospect of expressing the emotion of gratitude in a pecuniary form; and, after first consulting appearances by a show of hesitation, he consented to adopt the captain’s suggestion, and to humor Mrs. Lecount.

“But I must be considered in this matter,” proceeded Noel Vanstone.  “My concession to Lecount’s weakness must not be misunderstood.  Miss Bygrave must not be allowed to suppose I am afraid of my housekeeper.”

The captain declared that no such idea ever had entered, or ever could enter, Miss Bygrave’s mind.  Noel Vanstone returned to the subject nevertheless, again and again, with his customary pertinacity.  Would it be indiscreet if he asked leave to set himself right personally with Miss Bygrave?  Was there any hope that he might have the happiness of seeing her on that day? or, if not, on the next day? or if not, on the day after?  Captain Wragge answered cautiously:  he felt the importance of not rousing Noel Vanstone’s distrust by too great an alacrity in complying with his wishes.

“An interview to-day, my dear sir, is out of the question,” he said.  “She is not well enough; she wants repose.  To-morrow I propose taking her out before the heat of the day begins—­not merely to avoid embarrassment, after what has happened with Mrs. Lecount, but because the morning air and the morning quiet are essential in these nervous cases.  We are early people here—­we shall start at seven o’clock.  If you are early, too, and if you would like to join us, I need hardly say that we can feel no objection to your company on our morning walk.  The hour, I am aware, is an unusual one—­but later in the day my niece may be resting on the sofa, and may not be able to see visitors.”

Having made this proposal purely for the purpose of enabling Noel Vanstone to escape to North Shingles at an hour in the morning when his housekeeper would be probably in bed, Captain Wragge left him to take the hint, if he could, as indirectly as it had been given.  He proved sharp enough (the case being one in which his own interests were concerned) to close with the proposal on the spot.  Politely declaring that he was always an early man when the morning presented any special attraction to him, he accepted the appointment for seven o’clock, and rose soon afterward to take his leave.

“One word at parting,” said Captain Wragge.  “This conversation is entirely between ourselves.  Mrs. Lecount must know nothing of the impression she has produced on my niece.  I have only mentioned it to you to account for my apparently churlish conduct and to satisfy your own mind.  In confidence, Mr. Vanstone—­strictly in confidence.  Good-morning!”