She liked him none the better for what he had said, and began to wonder how she might bring the conversation to a close. But when he spoke again she forgot her intentions, and allowed his voice to charm her.
'I think you told me,' he said, 'that you came up from Galway to-day; may
I ask you from what side of the county?'
Another piece of impertinence. Why should he question her? And yet she answered him.
'We live near Gort—do you know Gort?'
'Oh yes, I have been travelling for the last two months in Ireland. I spent nearly a fortnight in Galway. Lord Dungory lives near Gort. Do you know him?'
'Very well indeed. He is our nearest neighbour; we see him nearly every day. Do you know him?'
'Yes, a little. I have met him in London. If I had not been so pressed for time I should have called upon him when I was in Galway. I passed his place going to a land meeting—oh, you need not be alarmed, I am not a Land League organizer, or else I should not have thought of calling at Dungory Castle. What a pretty drive it is to Gort.'
'Then, do you know a place on the left-hand side of the road, about a mile and a half from Dungory Castle?'
'You mean Brookfield?'
'Yes; that is our place.'