“A lady! Do I know her?”
“You may. I suppose you know everybody in Barfordshire. Will you come? Do!”
“Of course I will come, Miss Gale. Please tell one of your people to walk my horse down after us.”
She had her hat on in a moment, and walked him down to Islip.
Her tongue was not idle on the road. “You don't ask after the people,” said she. “There's poor Miss Vizard. She had a sad illness. We were almost afraid we should lose her.”
“Heaven forbid!” said Uxmoor, startled by this sudden news.
“Mademoiselle Klosking got quite well; and oh! what do you think? Mr. Severne turned out to be her husband.”
“What is that?” shouted Uxmoor, and stopped dead short. “Mr. Severne a married man!”
“Yes; and Mademoiselle Klosking a married woman.”
“You amaze me. Why, that Mr. Severne was paying his attentions to Miss Vizard.”