here to the shooting-cottage. Madam, I wish you good-evening."

He bowed lower than ever--and, without a word more, quietly left the
room.

Anne's first impulse was (excusably enough, poor soul) an impulse of
resentment.

"Thank you, Sir Patrick!" she said, with a bitter look at the closing
door. "The sympathy of society with a friendless woman could hardly have
been expressed in a more amusing way!"

The little irritation of the moment passed off with the moment. Anne's
own intelligence and good sense showed her the position in its truer
light.

She recognized in Sir Patrick's abrupt departure Sir Patrick's
considerate resolution to spare her from entering into any details on
the subject of her position at the inn. He had given her a friendly
warning; and he had delicately left her to decide for herself as to the
assistance which she might render him in maintaining tranquillity at
Windygates. She went at once to a side-table in the room, on which
writing materials were placed, and sat down to write to Blanche.

"I can do nothing with Lady Lundie," she thought. "But I have more
influence than any body else over Blanche and I can prevent the
collision between them which Sir Patrick dreads."

She began the letter. "My dearest Blanche, I have seen Sir Patrick, and
he has given me your message. I will set your mind at ease about me as