nductor's feelings.

Giles walked behind the timber, and just as he had got past the yet
stationary carriages he heard a soft voice say, "Who is that rude man?
Not Melbury?" The sex of the speaker was so prominent in the voice that
Winterborne felt a pang of regret.

"No, ma'am. A younger man, in a smaller way of business in Little
Hintock. Winterborne is his name."

Thus they parted company. "Why, Mr. Winterborne," said the wagoner,
when they were out of hearing, "that was She--Mrs. Charmond! Who'd ha'
thought it? What in the world can a woman that does nothing be
cock-watching out here at this time o' day for? Oh, going to Italy--yes
to be sure, I heard she was going abroad, she can't endure the winter
here."

Winterborne was vexed at the incident; the more so that he knew Mr.
Melbury, in his adoration of Hintock House, would be the first to blame
him if it became known. But saying no more, he accompanied the load to
the end of the lane, and then turned back with an intention to call at
South's to learn the result of the experiment of the preceding evening.

It chanced that a few minutes before this time Grace Melbury, who now
rose soon enough to breakfast with her father, in spite of the
unwontedness of the hour, had been commissioned by him to make the same
inquiry at South's. Marty had been standing at the door when Miss
Melbury arrived. Almost before the latter had spoken, Mrs. Charmond's
carriages, released from the obstruction up the lane, came bowling
along, and the two girls turned to regard the spectacle.

Mrs. Charmond did not see them, but there was sufficient light for them
to discern her outline between the carriage windows. A noticeable
feature in her tournure was a magnificent mass of braided locks.

"How well she looks this morning!" said Grace, forgetting Mrs.
Charmond's slight in her generous admiration. "Her hair so becomes her
worn that way. I have never seen any more beautiful!"

"Nor have I, miss," said Marty, dryly, unconsciously stroking her crown.

Grace watched the carriages with lingering regret till they were out of
sight. She then learned of Marty that South was no better. Before she
had come away Winterborne approached the house, but seeing that one of
the two girls standing on the door-step was Grace, he suddenly turned
back again and sought the shelter of his own home till she should have
gone away.

CHAPTER XIV.

The encounter with the carriages having sprung