"To the house of Dr. Stephen."
He paused in surprise. "Doctor Stephen?"
"Yes! do you know him?"
"Certainly. I live in his house, and indeed"--he passed his hand thoughtfully over his forehead--"I faintly remember having heard that some one was expected there, a young relative, I believe."
"I was certainly expected," said Jane impatiently, "and you will oblige me if you would shorten the waiting of my relatives as much as possible."
"I am at your command, Miss! May I beg you to turn to the right so that I can conduct you through the garden by the shortest path?"
Jane followed, but she soon found reason enough to execrate this shortest path; for the hedge-way leading through the garden was worse than the deep mud and difficulties of the path they had just gone over. Her companion appeared to realize this himself, for after a while he paused suddenly, and said in evident embarrassment:--
"I forgot that the path was not suitable for a lady. Shall we turn around?"
"I think we are already half through it," answered Jane in a somewhat exasperated tone. "The end cannot be far distant."
"It is there behind the latticed gate."