At such flows of panic, Philip had his own private fears lest a flash of light should come upon Sylvia, and she should suddenly see that Kinraid's absence might be accounted for in another way besides death.

But when he reasoned, this seemed unlikely.

No man-of-war had been seen off the coast, or, if seen, had never been spoken about, at the time of Kinraid's disappearance.

If he had vanished this winter time, every one would have been convinced that the press-gang had seized upon him.

Philip had never heard any one breathe the dreaded name of the _Alcestis_.
Besides, he went on to think, at the farm they are out of hearing of this one great weary subject of talk.