begin with the event," he resumed. "Your arrival at this place
is no secret at Windygates. You were seen on the foot-road to Craig
Fernie by one of the female servants. And the inference naturally drawn
is, that you were on your way to the inn. It may be important for you to
know this; and I have taken the liberty of mentioning it accordingly."
He consulted his watch. "Event related. Time, one minute."

He had excited her curiosity, to begin with. "Which of the women saw
me?" she asked, impulsively.

Sir Patrick (watch in hand) declined to prolong the interview by
answering any incidental inquiries which might arise in the course of
it.

"Pardon me," he rejoined; "I am pledged to occupy three minutes only. I
have no room for the woman. With your kind permission, I will get on to
the messages next."

Anne remained silent. Sir Patrick went on.

"First message: 'Lady Lundie's compliments to her step-daughter's late
governess--with whose married name she is not acquainted. Lady Lundie
regrets to say that Sir Patrick, as head of the family, has threatened
to return to Edinburgh, unless she consents to be guided by his
advice in the course she pursues with the late governess. Lady Lundie,
accordingly, foregoes her intention of calling at the Craig Fernie inn,
to express her sentiments and make her inquiries in person, and commits
to Sir Patrick the duty of expressing her sentiments; reserving to
herself the right of making her inquiries at the next convenient
opportunity. Through the medium of her brother-in-law, she begs to
inform the late governess that all intercourse is at an end between
them, and that she declines to act as reference in case of future
emergency.'--Message textually correct. Expressive of Lady Lundie's view
of your sudden departure from the house. Time, two minutes."

Anne's color rose. Anne's pride was up in arms on the spot.

"The impertinence of Lady Lundie's message is no more than I should
have expected from her," she said. "I am only surprised at Sir Patrick's
delivering it."

"Sir Patrick's motives will appear presently," rejoined the incorrigible
old gentleman. "Second message: 'Blanche's fondest love. Is dying to
be acquainted with Anne's husband, and to be informed of Anne's married
name. Feels indescribable anxiety and apprehension on Anne's account.
Insists on hearing from Anne immediately. Longs, as she never longed
for any thing yet, to order her pony-chaise and drive full gallop to