"Known who, sir, did you ask?" she returned, standing up and looking round at him.
"Mr. Edwin Barley."
"I don't know him at all, sir," she replied, after a minute's pause given apparently to surprise and consideration. "Not but what I seem to have heard that name—lately, too."
"He is the new tenant at the house outside the gates."
"Dear! yes, to be sure! Two of the men were talking of him one day; that was the name, for I remember I said it put me in mind of the fields. I have seen him once or twice sir; a short, dark man."
"Where did you first see him?"
"It was coming home from church one Sunday, sir. We were crossing the road to the gates, me and Robin, and Harriet, when I noticed a swarthy gentleman standing stock-still and staring at us. 'I hope he'll know us again,' said I; 'he's ugly enough.' 'Hush!' says Robin, 'that's master's new tenant at the house there!'"
"Have you spoken to him?" inquired Mr. Chandos.
"Well, sir, if you can call it speaking, I have. This evening, as I was coming home, I met him in one of the walks. He wished me good evening, and asked how my lady was. I stood to answer him, saying my lady was still very ill. That's all, sir."
"Has he spoken to you at any other time?"