The conservatory-door was then opened, and the governor went in: but the place bore so much the appearance of not having been opened since it was closed for the night, that the look of everything, the calm tranquillity of the young lawyer, the surly frankness of the butler, the evidence of legal business going on which the table displayed, thoroughly convinced the governor that he had made a mistake; and he was in the act of retiring to return to the county-town, and pursue his search in some other direction, when Mrs. Effingham herself appeared, and drawing herself up with an air of cold dignity, looked first to the governor and then to Everard, as if for an explanation of his presence. Morrison instantly interposed, not wishing to plunge Mrs. Effingham into the quagmire of explanations, wherein the best-compounded stories are apt to flounder, and get themselves caught. "This is merely a gentleman, madam, who came to me upon some business," he said. "I will see you early to-morrow, governor, good night, good night;" and the governor retired, without adding anything more. When he was gone Mrs. Effingham sunk into a chair, and pressed her hand upon her heart, which beat violently. Morrison, however, explained the whole to her, and told her that he believed the governor was completely deceived. "We must take two precautions, however," he added, "when we ourselves set out; one is, to ascertain that the same number of persons that the governor brought with him have repassed the lodge-gates; the other to ensure that there is no one watching in the field at the end of the park-stile. How long do you think it will be, ere Miss Effingham is ready?" "Not half an hour," replied Mrs. Effingham. "Well, then, I will go and see myself," replied Everard. "But pray, my dear madam, in the meantime, put her in mind that she has no time to lose; for there is a walk of nearly six miles before her, and Tyrrell ought to be out at sea before daybreak." "She will be ready in less than half an hour," repeated Mrs. Effingham; and the young lawyer proceeded to ascertain that all the avenues were clear. CHAPTER XIX.