"I am afraid that I am interrupting you, sir," said the émigré. "If so, it shall only be for a moment." "You are not interrupting me at all," returned the old gentleman pleasantly. "I am very glad to see you, M. de la Vireville; pray sit down. But I thought you had started for Jersey." "I am just about to do so, sir," said La Vireville, obeying him. "I came to take my leave of you and of Anne." "The child will indeed be sorry to miss you," observed his grandfather. "He was afraid that he might. He has gone away, quite unexpectedly, upon a visit." "Tiens!" said La Vireville, surprised; "Anne on a visit! That is something new. May one ask where he is gone?" "He has gone to compatriots--some old friends of his father's at Canterbury. I am glad that the child should have a change of air, for he has been looking a trifle pale lately, so when my son-in-law's letter came I was glad to pack him off--under Elspeth's charge, of course." But the Frenchman did not seem to be sharing Mr. Elphinstone's pleasure at the change of air. "_Canterbury!_" he reiterated sharply. "_Canterbury!_ I did not know that René had friends at Canterbury." "Nor did I, to tell the truth," confessed Mr. Elphinstone. "I do not think, in fact, that he was aware of it himself till he came across them on his way through Canterbury to Dover the other day." "On his way to Dover!" repeated the émigré. "But, Mr. Elphinstone, René did not go to Dover! He crossed from Harwich to Germany, of course." "I think you must be mistaken, sir," replied the old gentleman mildly. "His letter came from Canterbury, at all events. It bears the postmark. But what is wrong then?" For La Vireville was on his feet, looking very grave. "Have you the letter here?" Considerably astonished, Mr. Elphinstone took it out of his pocket. "This is what he says: 'I have just met, by chance, two very old friends of my family, who have been living here, it appears, for a couple of years or so--Mme. and Mlle. de Chaulnes. They are very anxious to make Anne's acquaintance, and I have promised them that they should do so as soon as possible. If, therefore, you would send him to Canterbury with Elspeth for a few days on receipt of this, I should be greatly obliged. He would be well looked after.' And enclosed was an invitation from the French lady herself." La Vireville gave a cry. "It wanted only this! Good God, sir, what have you done? Mme. de Chaulnes--the poor child!" He almost snatched the letter from the old man's astonished hand and took it to the window. "Yes, a very good imitation, though--pardon me--you ought to know your son-in-law's handwriting better . . . Mon Dieu, what a disaster! When did the boy go?"