the sun shone on them. Her voice was peculiar, very low and sweet, and
so soft that the dominant note was of sibilation. Her hands, too, were
peculiar--long, flexible, white, with a strange movement as of waving
gently to and fro.

She appeared quite at ease, and, after thanking Adam, said that if any of
his uncle's party were going to Liverpool she would be most happy to join
forces.

"Whilst you are staying here, Mr. Salton, you must look on the grounds of
Diana's Grove as your own, so that you may come and go just as you do in
Lesser Hill. There are some fine views, and not a few natural
curiosities which are sure to interest you, if you are a student of
natural history--specially of an earlier kind, when the world was
younger."

The heartiness with which she spoke, and the warmth of her words--not of
her manner, which was cold and distant--made him suspicious. In the
meantime both his uncle and Sir Nathaniel had thanked her for the
invitation--of which, however, they said they were unable to avail
themselves. Adam had a suspicion that, though she answered regretfully,
she was in reality relieved. When he had got into the carriage with the
two old men, and they had driven off, he was not surprised when Sir
Nathaniel spoke.

"I could not but feel that she was glad to be rid of us. She can play
her game better alone!"

"What is her game?" asked Adam unthinkingly.