She was the first to break it.
"We must go at once then," she said.

"But how to get away from here without a little delay I do not know." They wondered that she should speak so, knowing how great her terror of discovery was; but she was thinking of Maurice, and of their last conversation, of his father left in her charge, and of his grief and perplexity if they should go away out of his knowledge, while he was absent, and trusting to them.
Mr.Strafford saw, though he did not understand her hesitation.
"It may be worth while," he said, "for me to run the risk of being seen, and go to-morrow to the employer of these men.

Nobody thinks of questioning my right to make any inquires I please about Indians, so that I can easily find out the truth, if you are willing to face the possibility of my meeting Christian, and drawing his attention to you." Mrs.Costello thought for a moment.
"I thank you," she said.

"I wish very much for a little delay if possible.

At the worst, if you do meet him, it will be only hasty flight.