If she was not to be found in the summer-house, the quieting of
Blanche's mind and the clearing up of her uncle's suspicions alike
depended on discovering the place in which Miss Silvester had taken
refuge. In this case time would be of importance, and the capacity of
making the most of it would be a precious capacity at starting. Arriving
rapidly at these conclusions, Sir Patrick rang the bell in the hall
which communicated with the servants' offices, and summoned his own
valet--a person of tried discretion and fidelity, nearly as old as
himself.
"Get your hat, Duncan," he said, when the valet appeared, "and come out
with me."
Master and servant set forth together silently on their way through the
grounds. Arrived within sight of the summer-house, Sir Patrick ordered
Duncan to wait, and went on by himself.
There was not the least need for the precaution that he had taken.
The summer-house was as empty as the library. He stepped out again
and looked about him. Not a living creature was visible. Sir Patrick
summoned his servant to join him.
"Go back to the stables, Duncan," he said, "and say that Miss Lundie
lends me her pony-carriage to-day.
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