The London physician looked at the picture, and said she was certainly very handsome; and then he asked about the house they lived in, and if the grounds were very fine.
“Fine!” said Mr. Wilkins; “they’re grand! Haven’t you seen them?”
“No; I didn’t know that they were open.”
“They aren’t,” said Mr. Wilkins; “but I can always go when I like and take a friend. I’m going up there to-morrow to see the head gardener. If you’d like to go, sir, I should be very pleased to show you over the place.”
“Thank you. I’ll go with pleasure. I should like to leave a card at the hall, as I knew Mrs. Phillips’s brother once. I might inquire after his health. Is Mr. Phillips at home?”
“No; he’s on the Continent. Mrs. Phillips would have been with him, but she’s ill in bed.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for that,” said the physician. “Never mind, I can see the grounds with you.”
The next day Mr. Wilkins called and took our guest up to the Hall, and when he came back he said, “What a delightful old place! I don’t wonder at the old Squire feeling the loss of it so much.”
“Did you see the house, sir?” I said.
“Oh, yes; Mr. Wilkins got the butler to take me over it. What a beautiful drawing-room!”