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"You can start from this house," pursued Sir Patrick; "or you can start from a shooting-cottage which is on the Windygates property among the woods, on the other side of the moor. It is useless to conceal from you, gentlemen, that events have taken a certain unexpected turn in my sister-in-law's family circle. You will be equally Lady Lundie's guests, whether you choose the cottage or the house.
Every body with or without rheumatism answered "the cottage." "Very good," pursued Sir Patrick, "It is arranged to ride over to the shooting-cottage this evening, and to try the moor, on that side, the first thing in the morning. If events here will allow me, I shall be delighted to accompany you, and do the honors as well as I can.
The preparations for the departure to the shooting-cottage were just completed; and the one question that remained to be settled was, whether Sir Patrick could accompany the party when the man-servant appeared with the message from his mistress. "Will you give me a quarter of an hour, gentlemen?" asked Sir Patrick. "In that time I shall know for certain whether I can go with you or not."
But the agitations and anxieties of the day had proved too much for her. The woman seeing the state of the weather had thoughtfully brought a box with her, containing a change of wearing apparel. In offering it to Blanche, she added, with all due respect, that she had full powers from her mistress to go on, if necessary, to the shooting-cottage, and to place the matter in Sir Patrick's hands.
Time, three minutes. A storm coming on. A quarter of an hour's ride from here to the shooting-cottage. Madam, I wish you good-evening." He bowed lower than ever and, without a word more, quietly left the room. "Thank you, Sir Patrick!" she said, with a bitter look at the closing door. "The sympathy of society with a friendless woman could hardly have been expressed in a more amusing way!"
The domestic crisis had betrayed the blind confidence which youth and inexperience had placed in it. Sir Patrick had won the day. "Things are settled and quiet, gentlemen; and I am able to accompany you," he said. "There are two ways to the shooting-cottage. One the longest passes by the inn at Craig Fernie. I am compelled to ask you to go with me by that way.
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