"Who is staying at Chandos now?" he abruptly asked.
"Only the family."
"Ah! the family—of course. I mean what members of it."
"All; except Madame de Mellissie and Sir Thomas Chandos."
"That is, there are Lady Chandos, her son, and daughter-in-law. That comprises the whole, I suppose—except you."
"Yes, it does. But I must really beg you to allow me to pass, sir."
"You are welcome now, and I am going to turn, myself. It is pleasant to have met an intelligent lady; and I hope we often shall meet, that I may hear good tidings of my friends at Chandos. I was intimate with part of the family once, but a coolness arose between us, and I do not go there. Good-day."
He turned and walked rapidly back. I struck into the nearest side walk I could find that would bring me to the open grounds, and nearly struck against Mr. Chandos.
"Are you alone, Miss Hereford? I surely heard voices."
"A gentleman met me, sir, and spoke."