“You speak to me very strangely,” she said with a forced smile; “as if I were in the wrong, anyhow. What could I tell them? That I was uneasy, and not satisfied? My aunt would have asked what did it matter if I were satisfied or not?--and Uncle Giles!” She stopped, and resumed in a different tone, “And the girl has gone up to London from the Seven Thorns--so far as I can make out, on the same day.” “What sort of a girl?” Margaret described her as well as she was able. “I cannot give you many details. I think she is pretty: brown hair and eyes, very neat and nice in her dress, though my aunt thinks it beyond her station. I think, on the whole, a nice-looking girl--not tall.” “The description would answer most young women that one sees.” “It is possible--there is nothing remarkable. She looks clever and watchful, and a little defiant. But I did not mean you to go into the streets to look for Patty. I thought you might see whether my description agreed.” “Mrs. Osborne, perhaps you will tell me what you suppose to have happened, and what there is that I can do.” “If we are to be on such formal terms,” said Margaret, colouring deeply, “yes, Colonel Piercey, I will tell you. I suppose, or rather, I fear, that Gervase may have gone away with Patty Hewitt. She is quite a respectable girl. She would not compromise herself; therefore----” “You think he has married her?” “I think most likely she must have married him--or intends to do it. But that takes time. They could not have banns called, or other arrangements made----” “They could have a special licence.” “Ah! but that costs money. They would not have money, either of them. I have been trying to make inquiries quietly. But time is passing, and his poor mother! It would be better to consent to anything,” said Margaret, “than to have her die without seeing him; and perhaps if he were found, the pressure on the brain might relax. No, I don’t know if that is possible; I am no doctor. I only want to satisfy her. She is his mother! Whatever he is, he is more to her than any one else in the world.” “She does not seem very kind to you, that you should think so much of that.” “Who said she was not kind to me? You take a great deal upon yourself, Colonel Piercey, to be a distant cousin!” “I am the next-of-kin,” he said. “I’d like to protect these poor old people--and it is my duty--from any plot there may be against them.” “Plot--against them?” She stared at him for a moment with eyes that dilated with astonishment. Then she shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said. “If you will not help, I must do what I can by myself. And you are free on your side to inquire, and I hope will do it, and take such steps as may seem to you good. The thing now is to find Gervase for his mother. At another moment,” said Margaret, raising her head, “you will perhaps explain to me what you mean by this tone--towards me.”