me almost before the words were out of my mouth. Asked me if I charged
her with stealing my letter. Said things to me--I can't repeat them.
I am not very well, and not able to deal with people of that sort. I
thought it best to leave Craig Fernie this morning. I hope and pray I
shall never see Craig Fernie again."

She told her little story with a total absence of emotion of any sort,
and laid her head back wearily on the chair when it was done.

Blanche's eyes filled with tears at the sight of her.

"I won't tease you with questions, Anne," she said, gently. "Come up
stairs and rest in my room. You're not fit to travel, love. I'll take
care that nobody comes near us."

The stable-clock at Windygates struck the quarter to two. Anne raised
herself in the chair with a start.

"What time was that?" she asked.

Blanche told her.

"I can't stay," she said. "I have come here to find something out if I
can. You won't ask me questions? Don't, Blanche, don't! for the sake of
old times."

Blanche turned aside, heart-sick. "I will do nothing, dear, to annoy
you," she said, and took Anne's hand, and hid the tears that were
beginning to fall over her cheeks.