MrsClements，nevertheless，followedherprivatelyoneachoccasionwhenshewenttothelake，without，however，venturingnearenoughtotheboat-housetobewitnessofwhattookplacethere。WhenAnnereturnedforthelasttimefromthedangerousneighbourhood，thefatigueofwalking，dayafterday，distanceswhichwerefartoogreatforherstrength，addedtotheexhaustingeffectoftheagitationfromwhichshehadsuffered，producedtheresultwhichMrsClementshaddreadedallalong。TheoldpainovertheheartandtheothersymptomsoftheillnessatGrimsbyreturned，andAnnewasconfinedtoherbedinthecottage。
Inthisemergencythefirstnecessity，asMrsClementsknewbyexperience，wastoendeavourtoquietAnne’sanxietyofmind，andforthispurposethegoodwomanwentherselfthenextdaytothelake，totryifshecouldfindLadyGlydewhowouldbesure，asAnnesaid，totakeherdailywalktotheboat-house，andprevailonhertocomebackprivatelytothecottagenearSandon。OnreachingtheoutskirtsoftheplantationMrsClementsencountered，notLadyGlyde，butatall，stout，elderlygentleman，withabookinhishand——inotherwords，CountFosco。
TheCount，afterlookingatherveryattentivelyforamoment，askedifsheexpectedtoseeanyoneinthatplace，andadded，beforeshecouldreply，thathewaswaitingtherewithamessagefromLadyGlyde，butthathewasnotquitecertainwhetherthepersonthenbeforehimansweredthedescriptionofthepersonwithwhomhewasdesiredtocommunicate。
UponthisMrsClementsatonceconfidedhererrandtohim，andentreatedthathewouldhelptoallayAnne’sanxietybytrustinghismessagetoher。
TheCountmostreadilyandkindlycompliedwithherrequest。Themessage，hesaid，wasaveryimportantone。LadyGlydeentreatedAnneandhergoodfriendtoreturnimmediatelytoLondon，asshefeltcertainthatSirPercivalwoulddiscoverthemiftheyremainedanylongerintheneighbourhoodofBlackwater。ShewasherselfgoingtoLondoninashorttime，andifMrsClementsandAnnewouldgotherefirst，andwouldletherknowwhattheiraddresswas，theyshouldhearfromherandseeherinafortnightorless。