I found Sylvia's fellow-guest a very quiet young girl, and understood that she lived somewhere in the Midlands. Her father, she told me, was very fond of hunting, and she rode to hounds a good deal. We wandered about the garden awaiting Shuttleworth's return, for both girls would not hear of me leaving before tea. "Mr. and Mrs. Shuttleworth are certain to be back in time," Sylvia declared, "and I'm sure they'd be horribly annoyed if you went away without seeing them." "Do you really wish me to stay?" I asked, with a laugh, as we halted beneath the shadow of the great spreading cedar upon the lawn. "Of course we do," declared Elsie, laughing. "You really must remain and keep us company, Mr. Biddulph. Sylvia, you know, is quite a stranger. She's always travelling now-a-days. I get letters from her from the four corners of the earth. I never know where to write so as to catch her." "Yes," replied my well-beloved, with a slight sigh. "When we were at school at Eastbourne I thought it would be so jolly to travel and see the world, but now-a-days, alas! I confess I'm already tired of it. I would give anything to settle down quietly in the beautiful country in England--the country which is incomparable." "You will--one day," I remarked meaningly. And as she lifted her eyes to mine she replied-- "Perhaps--who knows?" The village rector returned at last, greeting me with some surprise, and introducing his wife, a rather stout, homely woman, who bore traces of good looks, and who wore a visiting gown of neat black, for she had been paying a call. "I looked in to see you the other day in town, Mr. Biddulph," he said. "But I was unfortunate. Your man told me you were out. He was not rude to me this time," he added humorously, with a laugh. "No," I said, smiling. "He was profuse in his apologies. Old servants are sometimes a little trying." "Yes, you're right. But he seems a good sort. I blame myself, you know. He's not to blame in the least." Then we strolled together to a tent set beneath the cedar, whither the maid had already taken the tea and strawberries, and there we sat around gossiping. Afterwards, when Shuttleworth rose, he said-- "Come across to my study and have a smoke. You're not in a great hurry to get back to town. Perhaps you'll play a game of tennis presently?" I followed him through the pretty pergola of roses, back into the house, and when I had seated myself in the big old arm-chair, he gave me an excellent cigar. "Do you know, Mr. Biddulph," he said after we had been smoking some minutes, "I'm extremely glad to have this opportunity of a chat with you. I called at Wilton Street, because I wished to see you." "Why?" I asked.