“Terrified?  Why?”

“Nobody knows why.  The trainer and the doctor together could only prevent his leaving the house, by threatening to throw up the responsibility of preparing him for the race, unless he instantly controlled himself, and behaved like a man instead of a child.  Since that time, he has become reconciled, little by little, to his new abode—­partly through Hester Dethridge’s caution in keeping herself always out of his way; and partly through his own appreciation of the change in his diet, which Hester’s skill in cookery has enabled the doctor to make.  Mr. Speedwell mentioned some things which I have forgotten.  I can only repeat, Sir Patrick, the result at which he has arrived in his own mind.  Coming from a man of his authority, the opinion seems to me to be startling in the last degree.  If Geoffrey Delamayn runs in the race on Thursday next, he will do it at the risk of his life.”

“At the risk of dying on the ground?”

“Yes.”

Sir Patrick’s face became thoughtful.  He waited a little before he spoke again.

“We have not wasted our time,” he said, “in dwelling on what happened during your visit to Fulham.  The possibility of this man’s death suggests to my mind serious matter for consideration.  It is very desirable, in the interests of my niece and her husband, that I should be able to foresee, if I can, how a fatal result of the race might affect the inquiry which is to be held on Saturday next.  I believe you may be able to help me in this.”

“You have only to tell me how, Sir Patrick.”

“I may count on your being present on Saturday?”

“Certainly.”

“You thoroughly understand that, in meeting Blanche, you will meet a person estranged from you, for the present—­a friend and sister who has ceased (under Lady Lundie’s influence mainly) to feel as a friend and sister toward you now?”

“I was not quite unprepared, Sir Patrick, to hear that Blanche had misjudged me.  When I wrote my letter to Mr. Brinkworth, I warned him as delicately as I could, that his wife’s jealousy might be very easily roused.  You may rely on my self-restraint, no matter how hardly it may be tried.  Nothing that Blanche can say or do will alter my grateful remembrance of the past.  While I live, I love her.  Let that assurance quiet any little anxiety that you may have felt as to my conduct—­and tell me how I can serve those interests which I have at heart as well as you.”

“You can serve them, Miss Silvester, in this way.  You can make me acquainted with the position in which you stood toward Delamayn at the time when you went to the Craig Fernie inn.”

“Put any questions to me that you think right, Sir Patrick.”

“You mean that?”

“I mean it.”

“I will begin by recalling something which you have already told me.  Delamayn has promised you marriage—­”

“Over and over again!”