1. FROM THE SIXTH TO THE THIRTEENTH OF JANUARY Manston had evidently resolved to do nothing in a hurry.
This much was plain, that his earnest desire and intention was to raise in Cytherea's bosom no feelings of permanent aversion to him.
The instant after the first burst of disappointment had escaped him in the hotel at Southampton, he had seen how far better it would be to lose her presence for a week than her respect for ever.
'She shall be mine; I will claim the young thing yet,' he insisted.
And then he seemed to reason over methods for compassing that object, which, to all those who were in any degree acquainted with the recent event, appeared the least likely of possible contingencies.
He returned to Knapwater late the next day, and was preparing to call on Miss Aldclyffe, when the conclusion forced itself upon him that nothing would be gained by such a step. No; every action of his should be done openly--even religiously. At least, he called on the rector, and stated this to be his resolve.
'Certainly,' said Mr. Raunham, 'it is best to proceed candidly and fairly, or undue suspicion may fall on you. You should, in my opinion, take active steps at once.' 'I will do the utmost that lies in my power to clear up the mystery, and silence the hubbub of gossip that has been set going about me.
But what can I do? They say that the man who comes first in the chain of inquiry is not to be found--I mean the porter.' 'I am sorry to say that he is not. When I returned from the station last night, after seeing Owen Graye off, I went again to the cottage where he has been lodging, to get more intelligence, as I thought.
He was not there. He had gone out at dusk, saying he would be back soon. But he has not come back yet.' 'I rather doubt if we shall see him again.' 'Had I known of this, I would have done what in my flurry I did not think of doing--set a watch upon him. But why not advertise for your missing wife as a preliminary, consulting your solicitor in the meantime?' 'Advertise. I'll think about it,' said Manston, lingering on the word as he pronounced it. 'Yes, that seems a right thing--quite a right thing.' He went home and remained moodily indoors all the next day and the next--for nearly a week, in short. Then, one evening at dusk, he went out with an uncertain air as to the direction of his walk, which resulted, however, in leading him again to the rectory.