“Time for what?”
“Come into the garden.”
With that answer, she led the way out
The smoking-room projected at right angles from the wall of the house, in an oblong form—with a bow-window at the farther end, looking into the garden. Before she turned the corner, and showed herself within the range of view from the window Lady Lundie looked back, and signed to Blanche to wait behind the angle of the wall. Blanche waited.
The next instant she heard the voices in conversation through the open window. Arnold’s voice was the first that spoke.
“Lady Lundie! Why, we didn’t expect you till luncheon time!”
Lady Lundie was ready with her answer.
“I was able to leave town earlier than I had anticipated. Don’t put out your cigar; and don’t move. I am not coming in.”
The quick interchange of question and answer went on; every word being audible in the perfect stillness of the place. Arnold was the next to speak.
“Have you seen Blanche?”