ght direct him.
But on reconsideration, as he drew nearer to the scene of his future
operations, he thought that it might be well for him to remain that
night at Guestwick. He did not quite know how far Allington was from
Guestwick, but he did know that it was still mid-winter, and that the
days were short. "The Magpie" was the best inn, Johnny said. Having
lived at Guestwick all his life, and having a mother living there
now, he had never himself put up at "The Magpie," but he believed it
to be a good country inn. They kept post-horses there, he knew. He
did not tell the stranger that his late old friend, Lord De Guest,
and his present old friend, Lady Julia, always hired post-horses from
"The Magpie," but he grounded his ready assertion on the remembrance
of that fact. "I think I shall stay there to-night," said the major.
"You'll find it pretty comfortable, I don't doubt," said Johnny.
"Though, indeed, it always seems to me that a man alone at an inn has
a very bad time of it. Reading is all very well, but one gets tired
of it at last. And then I hate horse-hair chairs." "It isn't very
delightful," said the major, "but beggars mustn't be choosers." Then
there was a pause, after which the major spoke again. "You don't
happen to know which way Allington lies?"

"Allington!" said Johnny.

"Yes, Allington. Is there not a village called Allington?"

"There is a village called Allington, certainly. It lies over there."
And Johnny pointed with his finger through the window. "As you do not
know the country you can see nothing, but I can see the Allington
trees at this moment."

"I suppose there is no inn at Allington?"

"There's a public-house, with a very nice clean bedroom. It is called
the 'Red Lion.' Mrs. Forrard keeps it. I would quite as soon stay
there as at 'The Magpie.' Only if they don't expect you, they
wouldn't have much for dinner."

"Then you know the village of Allington?"

"Yes, I know the village of Allington very well. I have friends
living there. Indeed, I may say I know everybody in Allington."

"Do you know Mrs. Dale?"

"Mrs. Dale?" said Johnny. "Yes, I know Mrs. Dale. I have known Mrs. Dale
pretty nearly all my life." Who could this man be who was gong down
to see Mrs. Dale,--Mrs. Dale, and consequently, Lily Dale? He thought
that he knew Mrs. Dale so well, that she could have no visitor of whom
he would not be entitled to have some knowledge. But Major Grantly
had nothing more to say at the