hastened to do her bidding, fearing to admit that he had not seen the
guest leave, because to do so would be to confess that he had been absent
from his post, which was indeed the truth.

She knew he would come back shortly, and thus he did, entering somewhat
breathed by his haste.

"My lady," he said, "I went quickly to the street, and indeed to the
corner of it, but Sir John was not within sight."

"Fool, you were not swift enough!" she said angrily. "Wait, you must go
to his lodgings with a note. The matter is of importance."

She went to a table--'twas close to the divan, so close that if she had
thrust forth her foot she could have touched what lay beneath it--and
wrote hastily a few lines. They were to request That which was
stiffening within three feet of her to return to her as quickly as
possible that she might make inquiries of an important nature which she
had forgotten at his departure.

"Take this to Sir John's lodgings," she said. "Let there be no loitering
by the way. Deliver into his own hands, and bring back at once his
answer."

Then she was left alone again, and being so left, paced the room slowly,
her gaze upon the floor.

"That was well done," she said. "When he returns and has not found him,
I will be angered, and send him again to wait."