She may even have reason--or may think she has reason--to doubt whether it is a marriage at all.'" Arnold started, and looked round at Geoffrey still sitting at the writing-table with his back turned on them.

Utterly as Blanche and Sir Patrick were mistaken in their estimate of Anne's position at Craig Fernie, they had drifted, nevertheless, into discussing the very question in which Geoffrey and Miss Silvester were interested--the question of marriage in Scotland.

It was impossible in Blanche's presence to tell Geoffrey that he might do well to listen to Sir Patrick's opinion, even at second-hand.

Perhaps the words had found their way to him?
perhaps he was listening already, of his own accord?
(He _was_ listening.

Blanche's last words had found their way to him, while he was pondering over his half-finished letter to his brother.