in the library. Now, Mr. Humphreys, if you’re prepared, we might bid goodbye to these ladies and set forward on our little tour of exploration.”
As they came out of Mr. Cooper’s front
gate, Humphreys had to run the gauntlet—not of an organised demonstration, but of a
good deal of touching of hats and careful contemplation from the men and women who had
gathered in somewhat unusual numbers in the
village street. He had, further, to exchange
some remarks with the wife of the lodge-keeper as they passed the park gates, and with
the lodge-keeper himself, who was attending to
the park road. I cannot, however, spare the time
to report the progress fully. As they traversed
the half-mile or so between the lodge and the
house, Humphreys took occasion to ask his companion some question which brought up the
topic of his late uncle, and it did not take
long before Mr. Cooper was embarked upon a
disquisition.
“It is singular to think, as the wife was
