It meant—­so far as Arnold was concerned—­that a private conversation was about to diversify the monotony of the long Sunday evening at Ham Farm.

“I have a word to say to you, Arnold,” the old gentleman began, “before you become a married man.  Do you remember the conversation at dinner yesterday, about the dancing-party at Swanhaven Lodge?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember what Lady Lundie said while the topic was on the table?”

“She told me, what I can’t believe, that Geoffrey Delamayn was going to be married to Mrs. Glenarm.”

“Exactly!  I observed that you appeared to be startled by what my sister-in-law had said; and when you declared that appearances must certainly have misled her, you looked and spoke (to my mind) like a man animated by a strong feeling of indignation.  Was I wrong in drawing that conclusion?”

“No, Sir Patrick.  You were right.”

“Have you any objection to tell me why you felt indignant?”

Arnold hesitated.

“You are probably at a loss to know what interest I can feel in the matter?”

Arnold admitted it with his customary frankness.

“In that case,” rejoined Sir Patrick, “I had better go on at once with the matter in hand—­leaving you to see for yourself the connection between what I am about to say, and the question that I have just put.  When I have done, you shall then reply to me or not, exactly as you think right.  My dear boy, the subject on which I want to speak to you is—­Miss Silvester.”

Arnold started.  Sir Patrick looked at him with a moment’s attention, and went on: 

“My niece has her faults of temper and her failings of judgment,” he said.  “But she has one atoning quality (among many others) which ought to make—­and which I believe will make—­the happiness of your married life.  In the popular phrase, Blanche is as true as steel.  Once her friend, always her friend.  Do you see what I am coming to?  She has said nothing about it, Arnold; but she has not yielded one inch in her resolution to reunite herself to Miss Silvester.  One of the first questions you will have to determine, after to-morrow, will be the question of whether you do, or not, sanction your wife in attempting to communicate with her lost friend.”

Arnold answered without the slightest reserve

“I am heartily sorry for Blanche’s lost friend, Sir Patrick.  My wife will have my full approval if she tries to bring Miss Silvester back—­and my best help too, if I can give it.”

Those words were earnestly spoken.  It was plain that they came from his heart.

“I think you are wrong,” said Sir Patrick.  “I, too, am sorry for Miss Silvester.  But I am convinced that she has not left Blanche without a serious reason for it.  And I believe you will be encouraging your wife in a hopeless effort, if you encourage her to persist in the search for her lost friend.  However, it is your affair, and not mine.  Do you wish me to offer you any facilities for tracing Miss Silvester which I may happen to possess?”