`` She ran away in great alarm as soon as she saw me , although I do not think I did or said anything to frighten or vex her . I have no idea who she was . Do you know ? '' Mrs. Williamson did not make an immediate reply . She laid down her knitting and gazed out of the window as if pondering seriously some question in her own mind . Finally she said , with an intonation of keen interest in her voice , `` I suppose it must have been Kilmeny Gordon , Master . '' `` Kilmeny Gordon ? Do you mean the niece of Thomas Gordon of whom your husband spoke ? '' `` Yes . '' `` I can hardly believe that the girl I saw can be a member of Thomas Gordon 's family . '' `` Well , if it was n't Kilmeny Gordon I do n't know who it could have been . There is no other house near that orchard and I 've heard she plays the violin . If it was Kilmeny you 've seen what very few people in Lindsay have ever seen , Master . And those few have never seen her close by . I have never laid eyes on her myself . It 's no wonder she ran away , poor girl . She is n't used to seeing strangers . '' `` I 'm rather glad if that was the sole reason of her flight , '' said Eric . `` I admit I did n't like to see any girl so frightened of me as she appeared to be . She was as white as paper , and so terrified that she never uttered a word , but fled like a deer to cover . ''
`` Well , she could n't have spoken a word XXXXX any case , '' said Mrs. Williamson quietly .
If although as by in like near of on with