"But are you really going to Miss Laniston?" he said. "I shall be able to drive up there, give her fifteen minutes with five as a margin, and reach the steamer in time. You can go directly to the dock, and attend to the baggage and everything." My under-study sighed, but he knew it was of no use to make any objections. He did not fail, however, to endeavor to impress upon me the importance of consulting my watch while listening to Miss Laniston's communication. My plan was carried out; we separated as soon as we reached the city, and in a cab I rattled to Miss Laniston's house. XLVII. I INTEREST MISS LANISTON. When I reached Miss Laniston's house that lady was at breakfast, but she did not keep me waiting long. "Truly," she said, as she entered the drawing-room, "you are the most expeditious person I ever knew. I knew that you would come to me, but I did not suppose you would even start as soon as this." "I had already started when I received your telegram," I said. "To come here?" "No, to sail for Europe." "Well, well!" she exclaimed, "from this moment I shall respect my instincts, a thing I never did before. When I woke this morning my first thought was of the message I intended to send to you, and I intended to attend to it immediately after breakfast; but my hitherto unappreciated instincts hinted to me that no time should be lost, and I called my maid, and dispatched the telegram immediately. Moral: Do all the good you can before you get up in the morning. Why are you starting for Europe?" "I haven't time to tell you," I said, "in fact, I can only remain a few minutes longer, or I shall lose the steamer. Please tell me your business." "Is Sylvia the cause of your going away?" she asked. "Yes," I said; "is she the reason of your wishing to see me?" "Most certainly," she answered; "when does your steamer start?" "By ten o'clock," I said. "Oh, bless me," she remarked, glancing at the clock, "you have quite time enough to hear all I have to say, and then if you do not catch the steamer it is your own fault. Sit down, I pray you." Very reluctantly I took a seat, for at last the spirit of Walkirk had infected me.