“At the foot of the hill, Sir, where you saw the clump of evergreen oaks.”
“Why, it was a dirty-looking hovel, with Indian corn hung all over it.”
“Well, Sir, it ain’t very clean to look at, but it’s not so bad inside, and you can be sure of a comfortable bed.”
“I don’t see why I am to stop at all. I have seen Miss Ada safe to her own door; I really cannot perceive that anything more is required of me,” said he to himself, as he walked up and down the terrace.
“You’d like to eat something, perhaps, Sir? Supper is ready whenever you wish it.”
“Yes, I’ll eat a morsel; I was very hungry half an hour ago, but all this tidings of illness and infection has driven away my appetite. A vast roomy old place this appears,” said he, as he followed the serrant across a hall spacious as a public square, into a salon large enough to be a church.
“We have five like this, Sir; and on the other floor there is one still larger and loftier.”
“How long are you here?” said the lawyer, abruptly, for he was not at all in love with the mansion.
“We shall be two months here on Tuesday, and her Ladyship likes it so much, Sir Gervais means to buy it.”
“Well, I hope I shall not be much more than two hours in it. Let me have something to eat, and order fresh horses at the post.”