alighted in the afternoon at a little station some twenty miles short of
Sandbourne, and leaving his portmanteau behind him there, decided to walk
across the fields, obtain if possible the interview with the lady, and
return then to the station to finish the journey to Sandbourne, which he
could thus reach at a convenient hour in the evening, and, if he chose,
take leave of again the next day.

It was an afternoon which had a fungous smell out of doors, all being
sunless and stagnant overhead and around. The various species of trees
had begun to assume the more distinctive colours of their decline, and
where there had been one pervasive green were now twenty greenish
yellows, the air in the vistas between them being half opaque with blue
exhalation. Christopher in his walk overtook a countryman, and inquired
if the path they were following would lead him to Arrowthorne Lodge.

''Twill take 'ee into Arr'thorne Park,' the man replied. 'But you won't
come anigh the Lodge, unless you bear round to the left as might be.'

'Mrs. Petherwin lives there, I believe?'

'No, sir. Leastwise unless she's but lately come. I have never heard of
such a woman.'

'She may possibly be only visiting there.'

'Ah, perhaps that's the shape o't. Well, now you tell o't, I have seen a
strange face thereabouts once or twice lately. A young good-looking maid
enough, seemingly.'

'Yes, she's considered a very handsome lady.'