Madam, I wish you good-evening." He bowed lower than ever--and, without a word more, quietly left the room.
Anne's first impulse was (excusably enough, poor soul) an impulse of resentment.
"Thank you, Sir Patrick!" she said, with a bitter look at the closing door.

"The sympathy of society with a friendless woman could hardly have been expressed in a more amusing way!" The little irritation of the moment passed off with the moment.

Anne's own intelligence and good sense showed her the position in its truer light.
She recognized in Sir Patrick's abrupt departure Sir Patrick's considerate resolution to spare her from entering into any details on the subject of her position at the inn.

He had given her a friendly warning; and he had delicately left her to decide for herself as to the assistance which she might render him in maintaining tranquillity at Windygates.

She went at once to a side-table in the room, on which writing materials were placed, and sat down to write to Blanche.
"I can do nothing with Lady Lundie," she thought.