“Away!” said Kitty. “Oh, dear, what a—Is he at Arnside, perhaps, Mrs. Armathwaite?”
“No, miss. He has gone to Biddenden for two nights,” replied the housekeeper. “He will be put out to think he was away, when you and his lordship came to visit him!”
“We must send for him!” said Kitty resolutely. “It is most important that I should see him. Someone must ride to Biddenden with a letter!”
Mrs. Armathwaite looked very much astonished; and ventured to point out to her that since Biddenden Manor was situated quite fifteen miles distant from Garsfield the Rector could scarcely be fetched in time to reach his home before dusk.
“Must be fetched!” said Dolphinton urgently. “Important!”
“Well, of course, my lord, if you say so,” replied Mrs. Armathwaite doubtfully. “I suppose Peter could take the cob.”
“Peter take the cob,” nodded his lordship.
“Yes, my lord. If you will come into the parlour, I’ll have a taper put to the fire immediately.”
She looked a little curiously at Miss Plymstock as she ushered the party into the parlour on the left of the front-door, so Kitty, perceiving this, at once made Hannah known to her, describing her as a friend who had been kind enough to bear her company on the journey. This explanation seemed perfectly to satisfy Mrs. Armathwaite, and she curtseyed, and went away to procure refreshment for the uninvited guests.
The two ladies then held a consultation in under-voices, as a result of which Miss Plymstock begged Lord Dolphinton to show her more of the Rector’s garden, and Miss Charing went off to his study to find pens, ink, and paper.