2. ONE TO TWO O'CLOCK P.M.On that self-same mid-day, whilst Edward was proceeding to
Tolchurch by the footpath across the fields, Owen Graye had left
the village and was riding along the turnpike road to the
county-town, that he might ascertain the exact truth of the strange
rumour which had reached him concerning Manston. Not to disquiet
his sister, he had said nothing to her of the matter.
She sat by the window reading. From her position she could see
up the lane for a distance of at least a hundred yards. Passers-by
were so rare in this retired nook, that the eyes of those who dwelt
by the wayside were invariably lifted to every one on the road,
great and small, as to a novelty.
A man in a brown smock-frock turned the corner and came towards
the house. It being market-day at
