They heard the sound of a horse's galloping on the road outside. The noise of the hoofs stopped suddenly. They sat listening. In a minute or two the butler led a groom in the Tristram livery on to the lawn. He came quickly across to Iver, touching his hat.
"Beg pardon, sir, but could I see Mr Tristram? I've an important message for him."
At the same moment Janie and Harry Tristram came out on to the grass. Harry saw the groom and was with them in a moment, Janie following.
"Well, Sam, what is it? You were riding hard."
"Her ladyship has had a relapse, sir, and Dr Fryer ordered me to ride over and tell you at once. No time to lose, he said, sir."
"Did you bring a horse for me?"
"No, sir. But I'm riding Quilldriver."
"I'll go back on him. You can walk." He turned to the rest. "I must go at once," he said. "I don't know what this may mean."
"Not so bad as it sounds, I hope," said Iver. "But you'd best be off at once."