No change in her voice, no change in her manner, betrayed any special motive for putting this question. Alban was on the point of suggesting that she should go on to the school, and make her inquiries there--when he happened to notice her eyes. She had hitherto looked him straight in the face. She now looked down on the road. It was a trifling change; in all probability it meant nothing--and yet, merely because it was a change, it roused his curiosity. “I ought to know something about the school,” he answered. “I am one of the masters.” “Then you’re just the man I want. May I ask your name?” “Alban Morris.” “Thank you. I am Mrs. Rook. I presume you have heard of Sir Jervis Redwood?” “No.” “Bless my soul! You are a scholar, of course--and you have never heard of one of your own trade. Very extraordinary. You see, I am Sir Jervis’s housekeeper; and I am sent here to take one of your young ladies back with me to our place. Don’t interrupt me! Don’t be a brute again! Sir Jervis is not of a communicative disposition. At least, not to me. A man--that explains it--a man! He is always poring over his books and writings; and Miss Redwood, at her great age, is in bed half the day. Not a thing do I know about this new inmate of ours, except that I am to take her back with me. You would feel some curiosity yourself in my place, wouldn’t you? Now do tell me. What sort of girl is Miss Emily Brown?” The name that he was perpetually thinking of--on this woman’s lips! Alban looked at her. “Well,” said Mrs. Rook, “am I to have no answer? Ah, you want leading. So like a man again! Is she pretty?” Still examining the housekeeper with mingled feelings of interest and distrust, Alban answered ungraciously: “Yes.” “Good-tempered?” Alban again said “Yes.” “So much about herself,” Mrs. Rook remarked. “About her family now?” She shifted her bag restlessly from one hand to another. “Perhaps you can tell me if Miss Emily’s father--” she suddenly corrected herself--“if Miss Emily’s parents are living?” “I don’t know.” “You mean you won’t tell me.” “I mean exactly what I have said.” “Oh, it doesn’t matter,” Mrs. Rook rejoined; “I shall find out at the school. The first turning to the left, I think you said--across the fields?” He was too deeply interested in Emily to let the housekeeper go without putting a question on his side: “Is Sir Jervis Redwood one of Miss Emily’s old friends?” he asked.