Above all, the spy was to take special note of any lady who might be seen to enter or leave the office, and to this end he was furnished with a close description of Marian.
Gilbert called upon Mrs.Branston before carrying John Saltram out of town; he fancied that her offer of the Maidenhead villa would be better acknowledged personally than by a letter.

He found the pretty little widow sorely disappointed by Mr.Saltram's refusal to occupy her house, and it was a little difficult to explain to her why they both preferred other quarters for the convalescent.
"Why will he not accept the smallest favour from me ?" Adela Branston asked plaintively.

"He ought to know that there is no _arriere pensee_ in any offer which I make him--that I have no wish except for his welfare.
Why does he not trust me a little more ?" "He will do so in future, I think, Mrs.Branston," Gilbert answered gravely.

"I fancy he has learned the folly and danger of all underhand policy, and that he will put more faith in his friends for the rest of his life." "And he is really much better, quite out of danger?
Do the doctors say that ?" "He is as much out of danger as a man can well be whose strength has all been wasted in a perilous illness.

He has that to regain yet, and the recovery will be slow work.