to hear him, went on. "And remember this, in the future. When you next
want any thing that I can give you, ask for it plainly. Don't attempt to
mystify _me_ on the next occasion, and I will promise, on my side, not
to mystify _you._ There, that's understood. Now about this journey of
yours to see your estate. Property has its duties, Master Arnold, as
well as its rights. The time is fast coming when its rights will be
disputed, if its duties are not performed. I have got a new interest in
you, and I mean to see that you do your duty. It's settled you are to
leave Windygates to-day. Is it arranged how you are to go?"

"Yes, Sir Patrick. Lady Lundie has kindly ordered the gig to take me to
the station, in time for the next train."

"When are you to be ready?"

Arnold looked at his watch. "In a quarter of an hour."

"Very good. Mind you _are_ ready. Stop a minute! you will have plenty of
time to speak to Blanche when I have done with you. You don't appear to
me to be sufficiently anxious about seeing your own property."

"I am not very anxious to leave Blanche, Sir--that's the truth of it."

"Never mind Blanche. Blanche is not business. They both begin with a
B--and that's the only connection between them. I hear you have got one
of the finest houses in this part of Scotland. How long are you going to
stay in Scotland? How long are you going to stay in it?"

"I have arranged (as I have already told you, Sir) to return to
Windygates the day after to-morrow."