The situation was a more simple one than Peggy had imagined.  The road, for the last half mile, had been an up-hill one, and Keswick, as much to stretch his own legs as to save those of the horse, had alighted to walk, while Lawrence, as in duty bound, had waited for him at the gate.  Here a little argument had arisen.  Keswick, who did not wish to be at the house, or indeed about the place while Roberta was having her conference with Mr Croft, had said that he had concluded not to go up to the house at present, but would take a walk through the woods instead.  Lawrence, who thought he divined his reason, felt an honorable indisposition to accept this advantage at the hands of a man who was, most indisputably, his rival.  If they went together it would not appear as if he had waited for Keswick’s absence to return; and there would still be no reason why he should not have his private walk and talk with Miss March.

At all events, it seemed to him unfair to leave Keswick at the gate while he went up to the house by himself, and the notion of it did not please him at all.  Keswick, however, was very resolute in his opposition.  He objected even to seeing Roberta and Croft together.  He thought, besides, if he and Croft came to the house at the same time it would appear very much as if he, Junius, had brought the other, and this was an appearance he wished very much to avoid.  He had walked away, and Lawrence had jumped from the buggy to continue the friendly argument which was not finished when Peggy arrived.  Almost immediately after this event Keswick positively insisted that he would go for a walk, and Lawrence reluctantly turned toward the vehicle.

Peggy’s mind was filled with horror.  Master Junius had been frightened away, and the other man was coming up to the house!  She could not stand there and allow such a catastrophe.  Jerking open the gate, she rushed into the road and confronted Keswick.

“Mahs’ Junius,” she exclaimed, “Miss Rob’s orful sick wid her back an’ her j’ints, an’ she say she can’t see no kump’ny folks, an’ Mahs’ Robert he done gone away to see ole Miss Keswick.  I jes run down h’yar to tell you to hurry up.”

Keswick started.  “Where did you say your Master Robert had gone?”

“To ole Miss Keswick’s.  He went dis mawnin’.”

Junius turned slightly pale, and addressing Mr Croft, said:  “Something very strange must have happened here!  Miss March is ill, and Mr Brandon has gone to a place to which I think nothing but a matter of the utmost importance could take him.”

“In that case,” said Mr Croft, “it will be highly improper for me to go to the house just now.  I am very glad that I heard the news before I got there.  I will return to the Springs, and will call to-morrow and inquire after Miss March’s health.  Do not let me detain you as your presence is evidently much needed at the house.”

“Thank you,” said Keswick, hurriedly shaking hands with him.  “I am afraid something very unexpected has happened, and so beg you will excuse me.  Good-morning.”  And passing through the gateway, he rapidly strode toward the house, while Lawrence prepared to turn his horse’s head toward the Springs.