If all went well, she counted upon being back, perhaps with Guy
accompanying her, in the early afternoon. And then she would
probably be at Blue Hill Farm again before Burke's return. She
hoped with all her heart to accomplish this. For though it would
be impossible to hide the fact of her journey from him, she did not
want him to suspect the actual reason that had made it so urgent.
Let him think that anxiety for Guy--their mutual charge--had sent
her after him! But never, for Guy's sake, let him imagine the
actual shameful facts of the case! She counted upon Burke's
ignorance as the strongest weapon for Guy's persuasion. Let him
but realize that a way of escape yet remained to him, and she
believed that he would take it. For surely--ah, surely, if she
knew him--he had begun already to repent in burning shame and
self-loathing.
He must have ridden all the way to Brennerstadt, for he was not at
Ritzen. Ritzen was not a place to hide in. Would she find him at
Brennerstadt? There were only two hotels there, and Kieff had said
he would stop at one of them. She did not trust Kieff for a
moment, but some inner conviction told her that it was his
intention that she should find Guy. He did not expect her
influence to overcome his. That she fully realized. He was not
afraid of being superseded. Perhaps he wanted to demonstrate to
her her utter weakness.
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