Madame had a basket in her hand. She held it quietly by her capacious
skirt, at the far side, and made no allusion to the preparation, neither to
the direction in which she proposed walking, and prattling artlessly and
affectionately she marched by my side.

Thus we reached the stile at the sheep-walk, and then I paused.

'Now, Madame, have not we gone far enough in this direction?--suppose we
visit the pigeon-house in the park?'

'Wat folly! my dear a Maud--you cannot walk so far.'

'Well, towards home, then.'

'And wy not a this way? We ave not walk enough, and Mr. Ruthyn he will not
be pleased if you do not take proper exercise. Let us walk on by the path,
and stop when you like.'

'Where do you wish to go, Madame?'

'Nowhere particular--come along; don't be fool, Maud.'

'This leads to Church Scarsdale.'

'A yes indeed! wat sweet place! bote we need not a walk all the way to
there.'

'I'd rather not walk outside the grounds to-day, Madame.'