"Yes; it was on his invitation I went down to stay with his people. He was there on leave himself at the time."
"Ah!" said the Doctor, who had recovered his equanimity. "And what did you think of his people, as you call them?"
"They were very pleasant, kind, and unaffected, and thoroughly hospitable," said George. "Mrs. Derinzy is said to be in bad health. I understand that you have been occasionally summoned down there on consultation, sir?"
He looked hard at his father; but the Doctor's face was unmoved.
"Yes," he said quietly, "I remember having been down there once or twice."
"To visit Mrs. Derinzy?"
"I was sent for to visit Mrs. Derinzy."
George paused for a moment, then he said:
"I saw a good deal of a young lady who seems to be domesticated there--a niece of the family, as I understand--Miss Annette."
"Ah, indeed! You saw a good deal of Miss Annette? And what did you think of her?"