"Mrs. Foster's announcement that Mrs. Chudleigh is coming down again. She only heard this morning."
"You think this means a fresh attack upon my persecuted relative?"
"Judge for yourself. Mrs. Chudleigh had no pressing invitation to come back and has not been away long; after all, she and Lucy Foster are not great friends. Now she has only a flimsy excuse for the visit—I've seen her letter. Why should the woman force herself into Hazlehurst, unless it's to be within striking distance of your uncle?"
"I don't know. I suppose she couldn't have come down independently and called on him, because it would have excited remark; but that's not the question. The Colonel mustn't see her."
"How would you prevent his doing so if she goes to the house?"
"I think," said Blake, "the matter could be most effectively dealt with by letting her see me."
"An excellent plan, but if your uncle's to be kept in ignorance, it will need some arranging."
"Undoubtedly," said Blake; "that's your business."
"I suppose I must undertake it. The probability is that Mrs. Chudleigh doesn't know you are at home and she must, if possible, be kept from learning it until she sees you. As she's only down for a few days, I expect she'll make her first move to-morrow. Is your uncle going to the Croxleigh meet?"
"He is; so am I. Is there any risk of Mrs. Chudleigh's turning up at the cover?"