"Oh, I dare say, but not themselves," said she. "I suppose somebody cared for him," observed Hatty. I found it hard work to keep silence. "Only low people like himself," said Grandmamma. "Those creatures will do anything for money." And then, Caesar bringing in a note with Mrs Newton's compliments, the talk went off to something else. On the Saturday evening there was an extra assembly, and I caught Ephraim as soon as ever I could. "Ephraim, they have found it out!" I said, in a whisper. "Turn your back on the room," said he, quietly. "Yes, Cary, they have. There goes Keith's first chance of safety--yet it was a poor one from the beginning." "Can nobody intercede for him?" "With whom? The Electress is dead: and they say she was the only one who had much influence with the Elector." "He has daughters," I suggested. Ephraim shrugged his shoulders, as much as to say that was a very poor hope. "Your friend Mr Raymond, being a Whig," I urged, "might be able to do something." "I will see," said he. "Do you know that Miss Keith is to be in London this evening?" "Annas? No! I have never heard a word about it." "I was told so," said Ephraim, looking hard at an engraving which he had taken up. I wondered very much who told him. "She might possibly go to the Princess Caroline. People say she is the best of the family. Bad is the best, I am afraid." [Note 2.] "How did Mr Raymond come to know my Lady Inverness?" "Oh, you discovered who she was, did you?" "She told me herself." "Ah!--I cannot say; I am not sure that he knew anything of her before Tuesday night. She was our superior officer, and gave orders which we obeyed--that was all." "I cannot understand how Mr Raymond could have anything to do with it!" cried I. "Nor I, precisely. I believe there are wheels within wheels. Is he not a friend of your uncle, Mr Drummond?--an old friend, I mean, when they were young men." "Possibly," said I; "I do not know." Somebody came up now, and drew Ephraim away. I had no more private talk with him. But how could he come to know anything about Annas? And where is she going to be? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The next morning Caesar brought me a little three-cornered note. I guessed at once from whom it came, and eagerly tore it open. "We arrived in London last night, my dear Caroline, and are very desirous of seeing you. Could you meet me at Mr Raymond's house this afternoon? Mr Hebblethwaite will be so good as to call for you, if you can come. Love from both to you and Hester. Your affectionate friend, A. K." Come! I should think I would come! I only hoped Annas already knew of my share in the plot to rescue Angus. If not, what would she say to me?