"I have forgotten something up stairs." Sir Patrick went in.

The dining-room door closed; and Blanche returned alone to the library.

Now on one pretense, and now on another, she had, for three days past, faithfully fulfilled the engagement she had made at Craig Fernie to wait ten minutes after luncheon-time in the library, on the chance of seeing Anne.

On this, the fourth occasion, the faithful girl sat down alone in the great room, and waited with her eyes fixed on the lawn outside.
Five minutes passed, and nothing living appeared but the birds hopping about the grass.
In less than a minute more Blanche's quick ear caught the faint sound of a woman's dress brushing over the lawn.

She ran to the nearest window, looked out, and clapped her hands with a cry of delight.