He spent the evening in the billiard-room of the Golden Fleece, and did not return until late. A light in the room up-stairs and a shadow on the blind informed him that Mrs. Chinnery had retired. He stepped in quietly, and closed the door behind him. Mr. Truefitt, a picture of woe, was sitting in his usual place at the corner of the stove, and a supper-table, loaded with food, was untouched.
"Gone?" inquired the captain, scenting disaster.
"Some time ago," said Mr. Truefitt. "They wouldn't stay to supper. I wish you had been here to persuade them."
"I wish I had," said the captain, untruthfully.
He gave utterance to a faint sigh in token of sympathy with Mr. Truefitt's evident distress, and drew a chair to the table. He shook his head, and with marvellous accuracy, considering that his gaze was fastened on a piece of cold beef, helped himself to a wedge of steak-pie. He ate with an appetite, and after pouring out and drinking a glass of ale gazed again at the forlorn figure of Mr. Truefitt.
"Words?" he breathed, in a conspirator's whisper.
The other shook his head. "No; they were very polite," he replied, slowly.
The captain nearly emitted a groan. He checked it with two square inches of pie-crust.
"A misunderstanding," said Mr. Truefitt.
The captain said "Ah!" It was all he could say for the moment.
"A misunderstanding," said the other. "I misled Mrs. Willett," he added, in a tense whisper.
"Good heavens!" said the captain.
"She had always understoodfrom me," continued Mr. Truefitt, "that when I married Susanna would go. I always thought she would. Anybody who knew Susanna would have thought so. You wouldwouldn't you?"
"In the ordinary wayyes," said the captain; "but circumstances alter cases."