"I would. Is it not a singular sort of thing that a gentleman should rise from his bed at two o'clock in the morning, saddle his horse by stealth, and ride forth on a mysterious journey?" "It is singular. But he may not have saddled his horse by stealth." "How now?" she tartly answered. "He did saddle it; saddled it himself." "Yes: but that may have been only from a wish not to disturb the grooms from their rest. To do a thing oneself with a view of sparing others, and to do it stealthily are two things." "So your spirit must rise up to defend him still! Take care of yourself, Anne Hereford!" "Nay, there was no _defence_. What does it signify whether Mr. Chandos saddles a horse for himself or gets a man to saddle it?" "Not much, perhaps; looking at it in the light you do." "Mrs. Penn, I wish you would please to go, and let me finish dressing. I am afraid of being late." Rather to my surprise, she moved to the door without another word, and shut it behind her. I went down to breakfast: I could not help myself. It would not do to plead illness or the sulks, and ask to have my meals sent upstairs. But we had a third at table, I found; and that was Dr. Laken. I am not sure how I and Mr. Chandos should have got on without him; with him all went smoothly. But not merrily. For both he and Mr. Chandos spoke and looked as if under the influence of some great care. Listening to their conversation, I discovered a rather singular circumstance. Mr. Chandos's errand in the night had been to the telegraph office at Warsall, to send an imperative message for Dr. Laken. That gentleman (almost as though a prevision had been upon him that he would be wanted) had started for Chandos the previous evening by a night train, and was at Chandos at seven in the morning. So that he and the message crossed each other. His visit was of course—though I was not told it—to Lady Chandos; and I feared there must be some dangerous change in her. They talked together, without reference to me. "I wish you could have remained," Mr. Chandos suddenly said to the doctor. "I wish I could. I have told you why I am obliged to go, and where. I'll be back to-night, if I can; if not, early to-morrow. Remember one thing, Mr. Harry—that my staying here could be of no possible benefit. It is a satisfaction to you, of course, that I should be at hand, but I can do nothing." "Mr. Dexter is here, sir, and wishes to see you," said Hickens, entering the parlour at this juncture. "He says he is sorry to disturb you so early, sir, but he is off to that sale of stock, and must speak to you first. I have shown him into your private room, sir." Mr. Chandos rose from his seat and went out. And now came my turn. I was alone with Dr. Laken, and seized on the opportunity to inquire about Lady Chandos. See her I must, and would. "Is Lady Chandos alarmingly ill, Dr. Laken?"