"Perhaps she thought it didn't require an answer."

"She couldn't have thought that, for reasons that I know of. Besides, in
my letter yesterday I implored her to tell me (if it was one line only)
whether, in guessing at what her trouble was, Sir Patrick and I had not
guessed right. And here is the day getting on, and no answer! What am I
to conclude?"

"I really can't say!"

"Is it possible, Arnold, that we have _not_ guessed right, after all?
Is the wickedness of that man who blew the candles out wickedness beyond
our discovering? The doubt is so dreadful that I have made up my mind
not to bear it after to-day. I count on your sympathy and assistance
when to-morrow comes!"

Arnold's heart sank. Some new complication was evidently gathering round
him. He waited in silence to hear the worst. Blanche bent forward, and
whispered to him.

"This is a secret," she said. "If that creature at the writing-table has
ears for any thing but rowing and racing, he mustn't hear this! Anne
may come to me privately to-day while you are all at luncheon. If she
doesn't come and if I don't hear from her, then the mystery of her
silence must be cleared up; and You must do it!"

"I!"

"Don't make difficulties! If you can't find your way to Craig Fernie, I