I shook my head.
"If I could answer you these questions," I said, "I should feel much easier in my own mind. But I cannot. I know no more about it than you do."
We were both silent for a time, but I saw that there was a new look in her face. It was a welcome relief when a groom from Rowchester overtook us and pulled up his horse by our side.
"Are you Mr. Ducaine, sir?" he asked, touching his hat.
"Yes," I answered.
"I have a note for you from his Grace, sir," he said. "I was to take back an answer if I found you at home."
He handed it to me, and I tore it open. It contained only a few lines, in a large sprawling hand-writing.
"ROWCHESTER, Wednesday Morning.
"The Duke of Rowchester presents his compliments to Mr. Ducaine, and would be much obliged if he could make it convenient to call upon him at Rowchester between three and four o'clock this afternoon."
I folded the note up and turned to the groom.