latch, took a few steps forward into the hall or kitchen, into which it opened.
A fire was smouldering in the great open fireplace, and beside it, in a carved oak arm-chair, sat Cruel Coppinger, with a small table at his side, on which were a bottle and glass, a canister of tobacco and a pipe. His arm was strapped across his breast as she had seen it a few days before. Entering from the brilliant light of day, Judith could not at first observe his face, but, as her eyes became accustomed to the twilight of the smoke-blackened and gloomy hall, she saw that he looked more worn and pale than he had seemed the day after the accident. Nor could she understand the expression on his countenance when he was aware who was his visitor.
"I beg your pardon," said Judith; "I am sorry to have intruded; but I wished to speak to my aunt."
"Your aunt? Old mother Dunes? Come in. Let go your hold of the door and shut it. Your aunt started a quarter of an hour ago for the rectory."
"And I came along the lane from Polzeath."
"Then no wonder you did not meet her. She went by the church path, of course, and over the down."
"I am sorry to have missed her. Thank you, Captain Coppinger, for telling me."
"Stay!" he roared, as he observed her draw back into the porch. "You are not going yet?"
"I cannot stay for more than a moment in which to ask how you do, and whether you are somewhat better? I was sorry to hear you had been worse."
"I have been worse, yes. Come in. You shall not go. I am mewed in as a prisoner, and have none to speak to, and no one to look at but old Dunes. Come in, and take that stool by the fire, and let me hear you speak, and let me rest my eyes a while on your golden hair—gold more golden than that of the Indies."
"I hope you are better, sir," said Judith, ignoring the compliment.
"I am better now I have seen you. I shall be worse if you do not come in."
She refused to do this by a light shake of the head.
"I suppose you are afraid. We are wild and lawless men here, ogres that eat children! Come, child, I have something to show you."
