The girl knew that the mesh had fallen well.

She but caught again at her robe, and cast down again her eyes, and voiced again her assumed anxiety.

"I scarce know what to do," she murmured.
"My brother did not explain--" said Will.
"In that case," said Mary Connynge, her voice cool, though her soul was hot with impatience, "it might perhaps be well if I took the liberty of reading the message in Lady Catharine's absence.

You say your brother is in trouble ?" "Of the worst.

Madam, to make plain with you, he is in prison, charged with the crime of murder." Mary Connynge sank back into her chair.