“Unfortunate as causing delay—­nothing worse than that.  Unless I am very much mistaken, Bishopriggs will come back to the inn.  The old rascal (there is no denying it) is a most amusing person.  He left a terrible blank when he left my clerks’ room.  Old customers at Craig Fernie (especially the English), in missing Bishopriggs, will, you may rely on it, miss one of the attractions of the inn.  Mrs. Inchbare is not a woman to let her dignity stand in the way of her business.  She and Bishopriggs will come together again, sooner or later, and make it up.  When I have put certain questions to her, which may possibly lead to very important results, I shall leave a letter for Bishopriggs in Mrs. Inchbare’s hands.  The letter will tell him I have something for him to do, and will contain an address at which he can write to me.  I shall hear of him, Blanche and, if the letter is in his possession, I shall get it.”

“Won’t he be afraid—­if he has stolen the letter—­to tell you he has got it?”

“Very well put, my child.  He might hesitate with other people.  But I have my own way of dealing with him—­and I know how to make him tell Me.—­Enough of Bishopriggs till his time comes.  There is one other point, in regard to Miss Silvester.  I may have to describe her.  How was she dressed when she came here?  Remember, I am a man—­and (if an Englishwoman’s dress can be described in an Englishwoman’s language) tell me, in English, what she had on.”

“She wore a straw hat, with corn-flowers in it, and a white veil.  Corn-flowers at one side uncle, which is less common than cornflowers in front.  And she had on a light gray shawl.  And a Pique;—­”

“There you go with your French!  Not a word more!  A straw hat, with a white veil, and with corn-flowers at one side of the hat.  And a light gray shawl.  That’s as much as the ordinary male mind can take in; and that will do.  I have got my instructions, and saved precious time.  So far so good.  Here we are at the end of our conference—­in other words, at the gate of the stable-yard.  You understand what you have to do while I am away?”

“I have to send Arnold to the cross-roads.  And I have to behave (if I can) as if nothing had happened.”

“Good child!  Well put again! you have got what I call grasp of mind, Blanche.  An invaluable faculty!  You will govern the future domestic kingdom.  Arnold will be nothing but a constitutional husband.  Those are the only husbands who are thoroughly happy.  You shall hear every thing, my love, when I come lack.  Got your bag, Duncan?  Good.  And the time-table?  Good.  You take the reins—­I won’t drive.  I want to think.  Driving is incompatible with intellectual exertion.  A man puts his mind into his horse, and sinks to the level of that useful animal—­as a necessary condition of getting to his destination without being upset.  God bless you, Blanche!  To the station, Duncan! to the station!”