I haven't been down here one clear day yet, and I'm taking
an interest in the neighborhood already."

Breakfast over, the two friends went out to idle away the morning under
the shade of a tree in the park. Noon came, and Richard never appeared.
One o'clock struck, and still there were no signs of an answer from Mr.
Darch. Midwinter's patience was not proof against the delay. He left
Allan dozing on the grass, and went to the house to make inquiries. The
town was described as little more than two miles distant; but the day
of the week happened to be market day, and Richard was being detained
no doubt by some of the many acquaintances whom he would be sure to meet
with on that occasion.

Half an hour later the truant messenger returned, and was sent out to
report himself to his master under the tree in the park.

"Any answer from Mr. Darch?" asked Midwinter, seeing that Allan was too
lazy to put the question for himself.

"Mr. Darch was engaged, sir. I was desired to say that he would send an
answer."

"Any news in the town?" inquired Allan, drowsily, without troubling
himself to open his eyes.

"No, sir; nothing in particular."

Observing the man suspiciously as he made that reply, Midwinter
detected in his face that he was not speaking the truth. He was plainly
embarrassed, and plainly relieved when his master's silence allowed
him to withdraw. After a little consideration, Midwinter followed, and
overtook the retreating servant on the drive before the house.

"Richard," he said, quietly, "if I was to guess that there _is_ some
news in the town, and that you don't like telling it to your master,
should I be guessing the truth?"

The man started and changed color. "I don't know how you have found it
out," he said; "but I can't deny you have guessed right."

"If you let me hear what the news is, I will take the responsibility on
myself of telling Mr. Armadale."

After some little hesitation, and some distrustful consideration, on
his side, of Midwinter's face, Richard at last prevailed on himself to
repeat what he had heard that day in the town.

The news of Allan's sudden appearance at Thorpe Ambrose had preceded the
servant's arrival at his destination by some hours. Wherever he went,
he found his master the subject of public discussion. The opinion of
Allan's conduct among the leading townspeople, the resident gentry
of the neighborhood, and the principal tenants on the estate was
unanimously unfavorab