First, Geoffrey's private conference with Sir Patrick on the subject of Irregular Marriages in Scotland.

Secondly, Anne Silvester's appearance at Windygates.

Thirdly, Anne's flight.
The conclusions which had thereupon suggested themselves to Sir Patrick's mind were six in number.
First, that a connection of some sort might possibly exist between Geoffrey's acknowledged difficulty about his friend, and Miss Silvester's presumed difficulty about herself.

Secondly, that Geoffrey had really put to Sir Patrick--not his own case--but the case of a friend.

Thirdly, that Geoffrey had some interest (of no harmless kind) in establishing the fact of his friend's marriage.