"And have you just come from ——shire?" Sir Allan asked.
"No; I have been abroad for several months," Mr. Maddison answered.
"Abroad!" Sir Allan appeared a little more interested. "In what part?" he asked civilly.
"I have been in Spain, and the south of France, across the Hartz mountains, and through the Black Forest."
"Not in Italy?" Sir Allan inquired.
There was a short silence, and Sir Allan seemed really anxious for the reply. It came at last.
"No; not in Italy."
Sir Allan seemed positively pleased to think that Mr. Maddison had not extended his travels to Italy. There was a quiet gleam in his eyes which seemed almost like relief. Doubtless he had his reasons, but they were a little obscure.
"Ah! Shall you call upon me while you are in town, Mr. Maddison?" he asked, in a tone from which all invitation was curiously lacking.
"I think not," Mr. Maddison answered. "My stay here will be brief. I dislike London."