"What makes it likely that we shall see him in the country?"
"Well, Mundham Hall is quite close to Essingham, you know."
"Mundham Hall! Whose place is that?"
"Lord Dromard's," replied Ruth, still intent upon her work.
"Surely not!" exclaimed Christina. "Lord Manister once told me the name of their place, and I am convinced it wasn't that."
"They have several places. But until quite lately they have lived mostly at the other side of the county, at Wreford Abbey."
"That was the name."
"But they have sold that place," said Ruth, "and last autumn Lord Dromard bought Mundham; it was empty when we were at Essingham last year."
For some moments there was silence, broken only by the leisurely swish of Ruth's paper knife. Then Christina said, "That accounts for it," thinking aloud.
"For what?" asked Ruth rather nervously.