Cuthbert went off; and as this first train did not compel a delay at the junction, it was still quite early when he reached Kirk Hinton, where a Rilston fly was waiting for him, and in this he was soon driving up to the house of which he had heard so often, but which he had never seen. The rain had all cleared off, the air was fresh and the sky blue, the old elms near the house stood up like pillars of gold, the house itself was clothed in every shade of russet and dark green. The first impression on one coming from the noisy, smoky Ingleby was of utter peace. Mrs Palmer hurried out to meet him, with a sense of relief at sight of his brown, sensible face, and at sound of his kind, quiet voice, and behind her stood Godfrey with a dazed, scared look, and never a word of greeting. "Oh, Mr Staunton, I am indeed glad to see some one to speak to. We have done nothing; Guy has been too ill to give directions, except to send for you, and Godfrey is not willing to act without him." She proceeded, as he questioned her, to tell him of the events of the day before, and of Guy's condition. He had been a long time unconscious after his aunt's death, and had fainted over and over again afterwards. He was better now, but the doctor had insisted on perfect stillness, and had seemed much alarmed about him. "I think," said Cuthbert, "that Guy has been too reserved about his state of health. He was not at all fit for so much exertion and for such a shock. But Godfrey, hadn't you better see if your aunt has left any directions, anything to show you what she wished?" "She did, certainly," said Mrs Palmer, "in a table by her bed. She told my daughter to burn a certain envelope if she gave her orders to do so, when Guy arrived." "_What_ did she tell her?" exclaimed Godfrey, suddenly. "To burn a blue envelope. But as you know, dear aunt never spoke a word after Guy came, and if she had, I should never have allowed Jeanie to do such a thing." Cuthbert was perplexed by Godfrey's scared look. "Can _he_ have seen the ghost?" he thought. "I think," he said aloud, "that you had better see if you can find any directions. May I go to Guy at once, Mrs Palmer? I have been with him lately, and I think I shall know how to manage." "Oh, Mr Staunton, I am only too thankful to see you here, to share the responsibility." When Guy looked up into his friend's welcome face, it seemed to Cuthbert that there was a new and different expression in the black-ringed eyes. The hands he held eagerly out, shook, and he was as white as his pillow; but the colourless lips smiled a little, and in his eye a was a sort of triumph. "I've been very bad. I mustn't talk," he whispered. "You'll understand, and not mind--if I get--frightened." "I shall not mind at all. I'll take care of you. You'll be better in a few hours." "Perhaps!" said Guy, quietly.