CHAPTER XVII.
THEIR SEVERAL WAYS As Wilfrid quitted the house, the gate was opened by Jessie Cartwright, who, accompanied by one of her sisters, was bringing Emily some fine grapes, purchased, in the Cartwright manner, without regard to expense.
The girls naturally had their curiosity excited by the stranger of interesting, even of aristocratic, appearance, who, as he hurried by, east at them a searching look.
'Now, who ever may that be ?' murmured Jessie, as she approached the door.
'A doctor, I dare say,' was her sister's suggestion.
'A doctor! Not he, indeed.

He has something to do with Emily, depend upon it.' The servant, opening to them, had to report that Miss Hood was too unwell to-day to receive visitors.

Jessie would dearly have liked to ask who it was that apparently had been an exception, but even she lacked the assurance necessary to the putting of such a question.

The girls left their offering, and went their way home; the stranger afforded matter for conversation throughout the walk.
Wilfrid did not go straight to the Baxendales'.

In his distracted state he felt it impossible to sit through luncheon, and he could not immediately decide how to meet Mrs.Baxendale, whether to take her into his confidence or to preserve silence on what had happened.