It was the note she had just written; and, soon as the other had run her eyes over it, she added,—
“Now you understand?”
“I do. But how is it to be taken there?”
“By Winny. It’s just for that I gave Rees orders to send her up.”
“Couldn’t Rees have taken it himself? On horseback he would go much faster.”
“True, he might, if permitted to start. But he wouldn’t be—not the least likelihood of it. If he return to the house—which I hope he won’t—they’ll not let him leave it again. But Win will do better every way. We can trust her, and for speed she’ll get to her journey’s end quick as any courier on horseback. She knows all the short cuts and by-ways through the Forest. That will be in her favour to save time—besides safety otherwise. The fear I have is her not being at home. What a pity we didn’t know of their coming, when she was with us in the morning!”
“Perhaps not so much,” rejoined Vaga, whose subtle ear had caught the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs; two sets of them, as told by the lighter and heavier tread. “That’s Win now coming up with Gwenth. I’m almost sure of it.”
In a few seconds after both were sure of it, as the opened door discovered their maid outside on the landing with the cadgeress close behind.
“Oh, Win! we’re so glad!” exclaimed the sisters in a breath, as she was ushered into the room.
“Glad o’ what, my ladies?” asked the woman, with a puzzled look. She did not understand how they could be joyful under the circumstances.