He crossed at once to where she was; holding out his hand cordially, forgetting in a moment all his savage thoughts and suspicions.
"Good evening, Miss Neville. You have not forgotten an old friend?"
Amy gave him her hand, but not quite so eagerly as it was clasped in those strong fingers of his.
"The sight of the fire is quite cheering. I am half frozen with the cold," continued he, drawing nearer to it.
"It is a bleak drive from the station; and I always fancy colder on that road than any other."
"I rode it; and should have been warm enough if the frosty roads would have allowed of a gallop. I met Grant, the head Keeper, as I came along, and saw him home; it was too late for him to be out alone, and a price set on his head by those cowardly ruffians, the poachers."
"You heard about the fight then. What a sad affair it was from beginning to end. It has made us all nervous and fearful for Grant, as he gave the principal evidence against the unfortunate man who was hung; and they have vowed to be revenged on him; but Mr. Linchmore has doubled the number of Keepers nearly, so we hope that will intimidate them."
"I hope it may; and now suppose we talk about something more lively; the dinner for instance. How many people are here?"
"About thirty altogether. But they have all left the dining-room now some little time. You are late."