Sir Patrick disliked breakfasting alone.

He sent Duncan with a message, to be given to Blanche's maid.
The maid appeared in due time Miss Lundie was unable to leave her room.
She sent a letter to her uncle, with her love--and begged he would read it.
Sir Patrick opened the letter and saw what Anne had written to Blanche.
He waited a little, reflecting, with evident pain and anxiety, on what he had read--then opened his own letters, and hurriedly looked at the signatures.

There was nothing for him from his friend, the sheriff, at Edinburgh, and no communication from the railway, in the shape of a telegram.

He had decided, overnight, on waiting till the end of the week before he interfered in the matter of Blanche's marriage.

The events of the morning determined him on not waiting another day.