"We don't know, the servants don't know, they say; they were hired by Miss Sheckleton, in Chester, and never saw the old gentleman, nor the young lady, till after they were two or three days in Malory; and one night comes a carriage, with a madhouse gentleman, they do say, a doctor, in charge of the old gentleman, and the young lady, poor thing! and so they were handed over by him, to Miss Sheckleton."
"And what sort of lunacies do they commit? They're not pulling down the house among them, I hope?"
"Very gentle—very. I'm told, quite, as you may say, manageable. It's a very sad thing, sir, but what a world it is! yes, indeed. Isn't it?"
"Ay, so it is.—I've heard that, I think, before."
"You may have heard it from me, sir, and it's long been my feeling and opinion, dear me! The longer I live the more melancholy sights I see!"
"How long is Malory let for?"
"Can't say, indeed, sir. That is they may give it up every three months, but has the right to keep it two whole years, that is if they like, you understand."
"Well, it is rather odd. It was they who sat in the Malory seat to-day?"
"That was Miss Sheckleton, was the old lady; and the young one, didn't you think her very pretty, sir?"
"Yes—she's pretty," he answered carelessly. "But I really could not see very well."