'Does Miss Palmer live here?'
Bryda advanced and said,—
'Yes; I am Miss Palmer.'
'This is for you, miss,' the boy said. 'I was to say it was urgent.'
Bryda took from the boy's hand a crumpled bit of paper, on which was written,—
'Come at once to the old thorn tree half-way up the hill—great distress, I must see you. I will be there at three o'clock.
Betty.'
The paper was so crumpled that it was hard to decipher the writing, but it was Betty's, of that Bryda felt sure. She went hastily to the parlour.
'Madam Lambert,' she said, 'I am come to ask leave to start at once to meet my sister. She is in great trouble—give me leave—'
'To meet her—where? You agitate me, Miss Palmer.'