"
Miss Halcombe showed me, by a look, that she understood, and put
the question as soon as the dairymaid returned to us.
"Oh yes, miss, I mentioned that," said the girl simply. "The
company coming, and the accident to the brindled cow, was all the
news I had to take to the farm."
"Did you mention names? Did you tell them that Sir Percival Glyde
was expected on Monday?"
"Yes, miss--I told them Sir Percival Glyde was coming. I hope
there was no harm in it--I hope I didn't do wrong."
"Oh no, no harm. Come, Mr. Hartright, Hannah will begin to think
us in the way, if we interrupt her any longer over her work."
We stopped and looked at one another the moment we were alone
again.
"Is there any doubt in your mind, NOW, Miss Halcombe?"
"Sir Percival Glyde shall remove that doubt, Mr. Hartright--or
Laura Fairlie shall never be his wife."
XV
As we walked round to the front of the house a fly from the
railway approached us along the drive. Miss Halcombe waited on
the door-steps until the fly drew up, and then advanced to shake
hands with an old gentleman, who got out briskly the moment the
steps were let down. Mr. Gilmore had arrived.
I looked at him, when we were introduced to each other, with an
interest and a curiosity which I could hardly conceal.
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