"Oh, no, and now my natural protector has returned, I shall feel perfectly safe. You know Miss Ri, I believe."
"Oh, yes. She is a most interesting character. She doesn't run from mice, I fancy."
"No, and neither do I."
"Really? Then you are a rarity whom I am fortunate in meeting. I understand, Miss Talbot, that your home is some distance from this town."
"My home was some distance, about seven miles away."
"On Broad Creek? Do the Talbots come from that neighborhood?"
"Yes, they are old settlers. We hold the original land grant from Lord Baltimore."
"That is interesting. Did you ever happen to know of a Madison Talbot who lived—let me see—about 1812 or thereabouts?"
"Why, yes. That was the name of my great-grandfather."
"It was?"