“You have really written them, then? Oh, Marian, run no risks⁠—pray, pray run no risks!”

“No, no⁠—no fear. Let me see⁠—what o’clock is it now?”

It was a quarter to six. There would be time for me to get to the village inn, and to come back again before dinner. If I waited till the evening I might find no second opportunity of safely leaving the house.

“Keep the key turned in the lock, Laura,” I said, “and don’t be afraid about me. If you hear any inquiries made, call through the door, and say that I am gone out for a walk.”