"Silverquay is part of the Heronsmere property," responded Miss Caroline. "But the house itself is not far from the Priory. The Coventrys have lived there for generations," she added proudly. "They're immensely wealthy." With the last words an expression of something that looked like relief flitted across Mrs. Hilyard's face. "How interesting!" she said, infusing just the right amount of cordiality into her voice. "And are there any children? I'm fond of kiddies." "Children? Oh, no. Mr. Coventry isn't married. Nor was the last owner." Miss Caroline warmed to her subject. "It's funny there should be two bachelor owners in succession, isn't it? Rackham Coventry died unmarried, and both his younger brothers were killed--one at sea and the other in a railway accident. That's how it was the property came to Eliot Coventry, who's only a cousin." Mrs. Hilyard suddenly went very white. Fortunately, Miss Caroline's attention happened to be concentrated at the moment upon stirring the sugar into her second cup of tea, and by the time this was satisfactorily accomplished, the pretty colour was stealing back into the cheeks that had paled so swiftly. "I'd really no idea there were any other houses at all near mine," murmured Mrs. Hilyard, after the briefest of pauses. "I came across an advertisement of the Priory, dashed down to see it one day, and fell in love with it on the spot--partly because it seemed so far from everywhere." "We value our privacy in Silverquay," said the rector, smiling. "Almost all the large houses are tucked snugly away out of sight--hidden by trees or rising ground." "Did you come here to be quiet, then?" asked Miss Caroline, thrusting in her oar the instant her brother had finished speaking. "Yes," answered Mrs. Hilyard simply. Miss Caroline fixed her with a gimlet eye. "How very surprising!" she remarked. "You don't look in the least like the sort of person who would choose to live in a quiet country village like Silverquay." "Don't I?" Mrs. Hilyard smiled. But she did not volunteer any explanation of her choice. Here Ann, recognising Miss Caroline's now familiar methods of cross-examination, came to the rescue and diverted the conversation into a less personal channel, and shortly afterwards the Tempests left in order to pay some parochial visits in the village, Ann shepherding them as far as the gateway. Mrs. Hilyard exchanged a sympathetic smile with Robin. "The Miss Carolines of the world are rather trying, aren't they?" she observed mirthfully. "I think she has gone away fully convinced that there is something 'queer' about me--that I'm not quite respectable, probably!" "Ridiculous!" growled Robin in tones of wrath. "She has only to look at you!" "Thank you"--meekly. "I'm glad you think I look--respectable." "You know I didn't mean that! I think you look--I think you look--" He floundered and broke off abruptly. "Yes?" There was the tiniest rising inflection in her voice, demanding an answer.