The footsteps outside were audible once more.  This time, they were approaching; they were close to the door.  Herbert drew back from it.  Looking round to see that he was out of the way, Mrs. Presty rushed forward—­tore open the door in terror of what might happen—­and admitted Captain Bennydeck.

Chapter XLIX.

Keep the Secret.

The Captain’s attention was first attracted by the visitor whom he found in the room.  He bowed to the stranger; but the first impression produced on him did not appear to have been of the favorable kind, when he turned next to Mrs. Presty.

Observing that she was agitated, he made the customary apologies, expressing his regret if he had been so unfortunate as to commit an intrusion.  Trusting in the good sense and good breeding which distinguished him on other occasions, Mrs. Presty anticipated that he would see the propriety of leaving her alone again with the person whom he had found in her company.  To her dismay he remained in the room; and, worse still, he noticed her daughter’s absence, and asked if there was any serious cause for it.

For the moment, Mrs. Presty was unable to reply.  Her presence of mind—­or, to put it more correctly, her ready audacity—­deserted her, when she saw Catherine’s husband that had been, and Catherine’s husband that was to be, meeting as strangers, and but too likely to discover each other.

In all her experience she had never been placed in such a position of embarrassment as the position in which she found herself now.  The sense of honor which had prompted Catherine’s resolution to make Bennydeck acquainted with the catastrophe of married life, might plead her excuse in the estimation of a man devotedly attached to her.  But if the Captain was first informed that he had been deceived by a person who was a perfect stranger to him, what hope could be entertained of his still holding himself bound by his marriage engagement?  It was even possible that distrust had been already excited in his mind.  He must certainly have heard a man’s voice raised in anger when he approached the door—­and he was now observing that man with an air of curiosity which was already assuming the appearance of distrust.  That Herbert, on his side, resented the Captain’s critical examination of him was plainly visible in his face.  After a glance at Bennydeck, he asked Mrs. Presty “who that gentleman was.”

“I may be mistaken,” he added; “but I thought your friend looked at me just now as if he knew me.”

“I have met you, sir, before this.”  The Captain made the reply with a courteous composure of tone and manner which apparently reminded Herbert of the claims of politeness.

“May I ask where I had the honor of seeing you?” he inquired.

“We passed each other in the hall of the hotel at Sandyseal.  You had a young woman with you.”

“Your memory is a better one than mine, sir.  I fail to remember the circumstance to which you refer.”