"Oh, uncle! I did so truly pity her! And see how little pity she has for _me!_" Sir Patrick put his arm round his niece, and softly patted the fair young head that dropped on his shoulder.
"Don't let us judge her harshly, my dear: we don't know what serious necessity may not plead her excuse.

It is plain that she can trust nobody--and that she only consented to see me to get you out of the room and spare you the pain of parting.

Compose yourself, Blanche.

I don't despair of discovering where she has gone, if you will help me." Blanche lifted her head, and dried her tears bravely.
"My father himself wasn't kinder to me than you are," she said.

"Only tell me, uncle, what I can do!" "I want to hear exactly what happened in the library," said Sir Patrick.
"Forget nothing, my dear child, no matter how trifling it may be.
Trifles are precious to us, and minutes are precious to us, now." Blanche followed her instructions to the letter, her uncle listening with the closest attention.