Lady Quaintree did not attempt to induce Lois to confide in her. Lois, on her side, did not volunteer any remark beyond a very few dry commonplaces regarding the rescue of herself and Blanche Dormer from their perilous situation. The young girl made no sign whereby Lady Quaintree could judge of the state of her feelings. Both were prepared to wait with a kind of painful uncertainty for Captain Desfrayne’s coming. Each wished, for different reasons, that this journey had never been undertaken. Had any rational excuse been at hand, each would have urged an immediate return to London. The question was settled very unexpectedly. As the three ladies rose from breakfast, a servant came in very hurriedly, the bearer of a telegram directed to Lady Quaintree. Her ladyship’s hand trembled slightly as she took the paper from the salver, and she hesitated for a moment before breaking the envelope. Telegrams, when unexpected, are always more or less alarming, and Lady Quaintree could not think of any possible good reason why any one should address one to her. She took it out, however, and, putting on her gold-rimmed spectacles, read the curt sentences: “Return as soon as possible. My father ill, though not seriously so. He wishes for you. A train leaves Holston at 12:15; the next at 2:45.” It was from her son Gerald. Lady Quaintree gave the telegram to the two girls, while she inquired if the messenger was still in waiting. The youth who had come from the railway-station was called into the room. Lois wrote an answer from Lady Quaintree’s dictation to the effect that they would start by the 12:15 train, and this was sent by the same messenger who had brought the telegram. As the visit was simply a flying one, little preparation had been made, and the ladies’ luggage was of the most portable description; so Justine, who was hastily summoned, had nothing to do in the shape of packing. Mrs. Ormsby was sent for, and came in dignified haste. “We are obliged to leave a day sooner than we had arranged for, Mrs. Ormsby,” said Lady Quaintree. “Miss Turquand is not sure of what time she may return, and it may be a long period before I come again. But we are both well pleased with the order and arrangement of everything in the establishment under your control.” The housekeeper curtsied to imply her thanks and gratification. Her ladyship requested that the carriage might be ready at once, as they left by the 12:15 train for London. A council of war was held as to the desirability of Blanche’s accompanying them. No time remained for consulting her parents, so at length Lady Quaintree settled that she should go with them. “Even if my lord should prove more unwell than my son admits,” she said, “you will be a great comfort to me and to our dear Lois; and if you should find my house irksome under the circumstances, I can easily locate you with any one of half a dozen friends, who would be delighted to receive you, my love.”