Herladyshipresignedherselftomeditation，withfrowningbrowandclose-shutlips。Shelookedherfullage，andayearortwomore，asshelaythinking，withherheadonherhand，andherelbowonthepillow。Aftercommittingherselftothephysicianandtotheredlavenderdraughtthecommonestregardforconsistencymadeitnecessarythatsheshouldkeepherbedforthatday。Andyetitwasessentialthattheproposedinquiriesshouldbeinstantlysetonfoot。Ontheonehand，theproblemwasnotaneasyonetosolve；ontheother，herladyshipwasnotaneasyonetobeat。HowtosendforthelandladyatCraigFernie，withoutexcitinganyspecialsuspicionorremark——wasthequestionbeforeher。InlessthanfiveminutesshehadlookedbackintohermemoryofcurrenteventsatWindygates——andhadsolvedit。
Herfirstproceedingwastoringthebellforhermaid。
“IamafraidIfrightenedyou，Hopkins。Thestateofmynerves。
Mrs。Glenarmwasalittlesuddenwithsomenewsthatsurprisedme。Iambetternow——andabletoattendtothehouseholdmatters。
Thereisamistakeinthebutcher’saccount。Sendthecookhere。“