"Some years ago; she was staying, for a few months with my half-sister, Mrs. Chester, at Guild."
"At Guild; yes, I know; I saw her there when I went over with papa. But I was not aware that you were intimate there."
Robert Hunter had never spoken of that past time in any way to Mary Anne. It happened that Anna Chester had not.
"I went over to Guild sometimes. I was living at Katterley, seven miles off."
"Was that in your wife's time?"
"Yes."
"It is strange you never told me you knew my stepmother."
"It never occurred to me to tell you. Business matters have so entirely occupied my thoughts since, that those old days seem well-nigh blotted out of them."
"Were she and your wife great friends?"
"No. My wife did not like her."