"Ah! That must be your brother!" he exclaimed, a note of what sounded almost like relief in his voice. He seemed glad of the distraction, and shook hands cordially with Robin when he came in. "I'm sorry I was out," began the latter. But Coventry cut short his apologies. "Don't apologise," he said. "It has given Miss Lovell and myself the opportunity of renewing our acquaintance." Robin looked from one to the other in surprise. "Have you met before, then?" he asked. Ann explained. "At Montricheux," she replied. "Mr. Coventry saved me from a watery grave on the night of the Venetian Fête there." "From nothing more dangerous than a wetting, actually," interpolated Coventry in his abrupt way. "Well, even that's something to be thankful for," returned Robin, smiling. "Will you smoke?" He offered his cigarette-case, and the two men lit up. "I've just been over to see Farmer Sparkes," he continued. "He's put in a list as long as your arm of repairs he wants doing." Coventry laughed good-humouredly. "I suppose they'll all be sticking me for alterations and repairs now I've come back," he said. "What's the use of a landlord unless you can squeeze something out of him?" "I'm afraid there is a bit of that attitude about most tenants," admitted Robin. "I expect the new owner of the Priory will get let in for the same thing. One or two of the Priory cottages want doing up, it's true." "Have you seen her yet, Robin?" inquired Ann quickly, with feminine curiosity. "Mrs. Hilyard, do you mean? No, I didn't come across her this morning." "_Who_ did you say?" asked Coventry. Something in the quality of his voice brought Ann's eyes swiftly to his face. All the geniality had gone out of it. It was set and stern, and there was an odd watchfulness in the glance he levelled at Robin as he spoke. "Mrs. Hilyard--the new owner of the Priory," explained Robin. "She arrived yesterday." "Hilyard?" repeated Coventry. "Some one told me the name was Hilton. You don't know what Hilyard she is, I suppose?" "No, I don't know anything about her. But Hilyard's a fairly common name." "Yes, I suppose it's fairly common," agreed Coventry slowly. As though to dismiss the topic, he returned to the matter of the repairs required on Sparkes' farm, and for a few minutes the two men were engrossed in details connected with the management of the estate. But Ann noticed that Coventry seemed curiously abstracted. He allowed his cigarette to smoulder between his fingers till it went out beneath their pressure, and presently, bringing the discussion with Robin to a sudden close, he got up to go. He tendered his farewell somewhat abruptly, mounted his horse, which had been standing tethered to the gateway by its bridle, and rode away at a hand-gallop. Ann made no comment at the time, as Robin seemed rather preoccupied with estate matters, but over dinner in the evening she broached the subject upon which she had been exercising her mind at intervals throughout the day.