This turn greatly surprised the visitors. “What, you know not? when was she here last?”
“Maybe ten days agone. I had ta'en out my brushes, after so many years, to paint her portrait. I did not do it, though; for reasons.”
Catherine remarked it was “a most strange thing she should go away bag and baggage like this, without with your leave or by your leave, why, or wherefore. Was ever aught so untoward; just when all our hearts are warm to her; and here is Gerard's mate come from the ends of the earth with comfort for her from Gerard, and can't find her, and Gerard himself expected. What to do I know not. But sure she is not parted like this without a reason. Can ye not give us the clue, my good demoiselle? Prithee now.
“I have it not to give,” said the elder lady, rather peevishly.
“Then I can,” said Reicht Heynes, showing herself in the doorway, with colour somewhat heightened.
“So you have been hearkening all the time, eh?”
“What are my ears for, mistress?”
“True. Well, throw us the light of thy wisdom on this dark matter.”
“There is no darkness that I see,” said Reicht. “And the clue, why, an ye call't a two-plye twine, and the ends on't in this room e'en now, ye'll not be far out. Oh, mistress, I wonder at you sitting there pretending.”
“Marry, come up.” and the mistress's cheek was now nearly as red as the servant's. “So 'twas I drove the foolish girl away.”