'She is deeply anxious.'
'You are cold. Empty houses are colder than out of doors. You shall soon have a fire.'
She begged him to be seated.
The small glow of candle-light made her dark rich colouring orange in shadow.
'House and grounds are open to a tenant,' she resumed. 'I say good-bye to them to-morrow morning. The old couple who are in charge sleep in the village to-night. I did not want them here. You have quitted the Government service, I think?'
'A year or so since.'
'When did you return from America?'
'Two days back.'
'And paid your visit to Copsley immediately?'
'As early as I could.'