on, following behind.

"It is all well," he said. "We can have our rooms and the parlour
complete. These are the ladies," he added.

The landlord bowed a little, with a dignity beyond that of his dress.

"Supper shall be served immediately, madam," he said, with a tactful
impartiality towards them both.

* * * * *

They were indeed very pleasant rooms; and, as Anthony had described
them to her, were situated towards the back of the long, low house, on
the first floor, with a private staircase leading straight up from the
yard to the parlour itself. The sleeping-rooms, too, opened upon the
parlour; that which the two ladies were to occupy was furthest from the
yard, for quietness' sake; that in which Anthony and his man would
sleep, upon the other side. The windows of all three looked straight out
upon a little walled garden that appeared to be the property of some
other house. The rooms were plainly furnished, but had a sort of dignity
about them, especially in the carved woodwork about the doors and
windows. There was a fireplace in the parlour, plainly a recent
addition; and a maid rose from kindling the logs and turf, as the two
ladies came back after washing and changing.

A table was already laid, lit by a couple of candles: it was laid with
fine napery, and the cutlery was clean and solid. Marjorie looked round
the room once more; and, as she sat down, Anthony came in, still in his
mud-splashed dress, carrying three or four letters in his hands.

"News," he said.... "I will be with you immediately," and vanished into
his room.

* * * * *

The sense of home was deepening on Marjorie every moment. This room in
which she sat, might, with a little fancy, be thought to resemble the
hall at Booth's Edge. It was not so high, indeed; but the plain solidity
of the walls and woodwork, the aspect of the supper-table, and the
quiet, so refreshing after the noises of the day, and, above all, after
the din of their mile-long ride through the City--these little things,
together with the knowledge that the journey was done at last, and that
her old friend Robin was, if not already come, at least soon to
arrive--these little things helped to soothe and reassure her. She
wondered how her mother found herself....

When Anthony came back, the supper was all laid out. He had given orders
that no waiting was to be done; his own servants would do what was
necessar