I have just returned from Carbury Towers.

Miss Lind is staying there; and she has asked me to give you a message." This speech perplexed Marmaduke.

He inferred from it that Conolly was ignorant of Susanna's proceedings, but he had not sufficient effrontery to welcome him unconcernedly at once.

So he stood still and stared at him.
"I am afraid I have startled you," Conolly went on, politely.

"I found the gate unlocked, and thought it would be an unnecessary waste of time to ring the bell.