"I only wanted to tell you that the Lieutenant is coming this spring," she said; "the Lieutenant, you know, my fiancé. And perhaps he will shoot woodcock out here. I thought I'd give you word about it, so that you shouldn't be alarmed."
The Miller and his wife looked at the young lady in surprise. They had never before had notice when visitors at the Castle were to shoot in the woods and fields. They thanked her humbly; how kind it was of her!
Victoria went back to the door.
"That's all I wanted. I thought as you were old people there was no harm in letting you know."
The Miller answered:
"So good of you, Miss. And now you have got your little shoes wet."
"No, the road's dry," she said shortly. "I was taking a turn round here anyhow. Good-night."
"Good-night."
She raised the latch and went out. Then she turned in the doorway and asked:
"By the bye—Johannes, have you heard from him?"