ous necessity of pursuing the investigation in the
strictest privacy. Arnold (relieved from all fear of being sent back
to Craig Fernie) undertook to do every thing that was asked of him, and
promised to keep the secret from every body.

They went back to the house, and met with an icy welcome from Lady
Lundie. Her ladyship repeated her remark on the subject of turning
Windygates into a Penitentiary for Blanche's benefit. She received
Arnold's petition to be excused from going to see the castle with the
barest civility. "Oh, take your walk by all means! You may meet your
friend, Mr. Delamayn--who appears to have such a passion for walking
that he can't even wait till luncheon is over. As for Sir Patrick--Oh!
Sir Patrick has borrowed the pony-carriage? and gone out driving by
himself?--I'm sure I never meant to offend my brother-in-law when I
offered him a slice of my poor little cake. Don't let me offend any
body else. Dispose of your afternoon, Blanche, without the slightest
reference to me. Nobody seems inclined to visit the ruins--the most
interesting relic of feudal times in Perthshire, Mr. Brinkworth. It
doesn't matter--oh, dear me, it doesn't matter! I can't force my guests
to feel an intelligent curiosity on the subject of Scottish Antiquities.
No! no! my dear Blanche!--it won't be the first time, or the last, that
I have driven out alone. I don't at all object to being alone. 'My
mind to me a kingdom is,' as the poet says." So Lady Lundie's outraged
self-importance asserted its violated claims on human respect, until
her distinguished medical guest came to the rescue and smoothed his
hostess's ruffled plumes. The surgeon (he privately detested ruins)
begged to go. Blanche begged to go. Smith and Jones (profoundly
interested in feudal antiquities) said they would sit behind, in the
"rumble"--rather than miss this unexpected treat. One, Two, and Three
caught the infection, and volunteered to be the escort on horseback.
Lady Lundie's celebrated "smile" (warranted to remain unaltered on her
face for hours together) made its appearance once more. She issued her
orders with the most charming amiability. "We'll take the guidebook,"
said her ladyship, with the eye to mean economy, which is only to be met
with in very rich people, "and save a shilling to the man who shows the
ruins." With that she went up stairs to array herself for the drive,
and looked in the glass; and saw a perfectly virtuous, fascinating, and
accomp