At present Mrs. Godfrey
had no suspicion. She very naturally attributed his jaded looks to
overwork, and he had been able to mask his feelings, except at that
one dreadful moment. When she spoke of the intended marriage the
sudden sickening pain at his heart told him that he could not trust
himself. As he walked towards the station, when he had done his
business, he pondered over all Mrs. Godfrey had told him.
Was it possible that the sisters had known all these weeks that
Cedric had been thrown into daily and hourly contact with Leah
Jacobi and her brother? Was it likely that Cedric had told them that
there was even such a place as Shepherd's Hut?
Perhaps he did not mean to wilfully deceive them. Very probably he
had his excuse ready. Malcolm could almost hear his words. "I said
nothing about the Jacobis because I knew your prejudice, and I did
not want to fluster you. I thought Mrs. Godfrey would spin her yarn,
and I left it to her. It was not my fault if the Wallaces took to
them, and that they were often up at Fettercairn." Some such words
Cedric would say when he saw his sisters.
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