I went all the way
to Glenalla--for nothing. Rather hard on a man whose leave is short!"
"I am very sorry," said Ethne, with a smile; "but why have you been put
to this trouble?"
Again the stranger curled a moustache. Again his eyes dwelt vacantly
upon her before he spoke.
"You have forgotten my name, no doubt, by this time."
"I do not think that I have ever heard it," she answered.
"Oh, yes, you have, believe me. You heard it five years ago. I am
Captain Willoughby."
Ethne drew sharply back; the bright colour paled in her cheeks; her lips
set in a firm line, and her eyes grew very hard. She glowered at him
silently.
Captain Willoughby was not in the least degree discomposed. He took his
time to speak, and when he did it was rather with the air of a man
forgiving a breach of manners, than of one making his excuses.
"I can quite understand that you do not welcome me, Miss Eustace, but
none of us could foresee that you would be present when the three white
feathers came into Feversham's hands."
Ethne swept the explanation aside.
"How do you know that I was present?" she asked.
"Feversham told me."
"You have seen him?"
The cry leaped loudly from her lips.
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