They were both struck with this strange coincidence--as it seemed to them; though in fact that they should meet at Blentmouth was not properly a coincidence at all. There was nothing surprising about it; the same cause and similar impulses had brought them both there. The woman who lay dying at Blent and the young man who sat making love under the tree yonder--these and no more far-fetched causes--had brought them both where they were. Mina knew the truth about herself, Neeld about himself; neither knew or guessed it about the other. Hence their wonder and their unreasonable feeling that there was something of a fate bringing them together in that place. "You're sure he says nothing about us?" she urged. "You'll not find a word," he replied, sticking to the form of assertion that salved his conscience. He looked across the lawn again, but Janie and Harry had disappeared amongst the bushes. "You're sort of old acquaintances at second-hand, then," said Iver, smiling. "Cholderton's the connecting link." "He didn't like me," remarked Mina. "He used to call me the Imp." "Yes, yes," said Neeld in absent-minded acquiescence. "Yes, the Imp." "You don't seem much surprised!" cried Mina in mock indignation. "Surprised?" He started more violently. "Oh, yes--I--I-- Of course! I'm----" A laugh from his host spared him the effort of further apologies. But he was a good deal shaken; he had nearly betrayed his knowledge of the Imp. Indeed he could not rid himself of the idea that there was a very inquisitive look in Madame Zabriska's large eyes. Mina risked one more question, put very carelessly. "I think he must have met Lady Tristram there once or twice. Does he say anything about her?" "Not a word," said Neeld, grasping the nettle firmly this time. Mina took another look at him, but he blinked resolutely behind his glasses. "Well, it's just like Mr Cholderton to leave out all the interesting things," she observed resignedly. "Only I wonder why you edit his book if it's like that, you know." "Hello, what's that?" exclaimed Iver, suddenly sitting up in his chair. They heard the sound of a horse's galloping on the road outside. The noise of the hoofs stopped suddenly. They sat listening. In a minute or two the butler led a groom in the Tristram livery on to the lawn. He came quickly across to Iver, touching his hat. "Beg pardon, sir, but could I see Mr Tristram? I've an important message for him." At the same moment Janie and Harry Tristram came out on to the grass. Harry saw the groom and was with them in a moment, Janie following. "Well, Sam, what is it? You were riding hard." "Her ladyship has had a relapse, sir, and Dr Fryer ordered me to ride over and tell you at once. No time to lose, he said, sir." "Did you bring a horse for me?" "No, sir. But I'm riding Quilldriver." "I'll go back on him. You can walk." He turned to the rest. "I must go at once," he said. "I don't know what this may mean."