'You never see any of the Mortimer Street men?'
'No,' he answered carelessly, 'I haven't come in their way lately, somehow.'
That evening our ramble led us into an enclosure where game was preserved. We had lost our way, and Ireton, scornful of objections, struck across country, making for a small plantation which he thought he remembered. Here, among the trees, we were suddenly face to face with an old gentleman of distinguished bearing, who regarded us sternly.
'Is it necessary,' he said, 'to tell you that you are trespassing?'
The tone was severe, but not offensive. I saw my companion draw himself to his full height.
'Not at all necessary,' he answered, in a voice that surprised me, it was so nearly insolent. 'We are making our way to the road as quickly as possible.'
'Then be so good as to take the turning to the right when you reach the field,' said our admonisher coldly. And he turned his back upon us.
I looked at Ireton. To my astonishment he was pallid, the lines of his countenance indicating fiercest wrath. He marched on in silence till we had reached the field.
'The fellow took us for cheap-trippers, I suppose,' then burst from his lips.
'Not very likely.'