He had something to say to the ladies in private. How could he say it?
A domestic circumstance which had been marked by Launce, as favorable
to the contemplated elopement, was now noticed by the servant as lending
itself readily to effecting the necessary communication with the ladies.
The lock of the gardener's tool-house (in the shrubbery close by) was
under repair; and the gardener's ladder was accessible to any one who
wanted it. At the short height of the balcony from the ground, the
ladder was more than long enough for the purpose required. In a few
minutes the servant had mounted to the balcony, and could speak to
Natalie and her aunt at the window.
"I can't rest quiet," said the man, "I'm off on the sly to see what's
going on down in the village. It's hard on ladies like you to be locked
in here. Is there anything I can do for either of you?"
Natalie took up Lady Winwood's telegram. "Launce ought to see this,"
she said to her aunt. "He will be here at daybreak," she added, in a
whisper, "if I don't tell him what has happened.
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