The Judge would probably think that
safe custody for his wayward character would be the kindest thing he
could do for Zoe. Therefore it was that Sebastian Dolores paid no
attention to the progress of the released landlord of "The Red Eagle,"
though, by a glance out of the corner of his eyes, he made sure that the
footsteps of liberated guilt were marching at a tangent from where he
was--even to the nearest tavern.
It was enough for Dolores that he should watch the result of his good
deed from the isolated area where he now was, in the company of two
virtuous representatives of domesticity. His time with liberated guilt
would come! He chuckled to think how he had provided himself with a
refuge against his hour of trouble. That very day he had left his
employment, meaning to return no more, securing his full wages through
having suddenly become resentful and troublesome, neglectful--and
imperative. To avoid further unpleasantness the firm had paid him all his
wages; and he had straightway come to Vilray to earn his bed and board by
other means than through a pen, a ledger and a gift for figures. It would
not be a permanent security against the future, but it would suffice for
the moment. It was a rest-place on the road. If the worst came to the
worst, there was his grand-daughter and his dear son-in-law whom he so
seldom saw--blood was thicker than water, and he would see to it that it
was not thinned by neglect.
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