stepped into the
passage.

'Do you know any of the members of this establishment?' said she.

'Not a single one: how should I?' he replied.

Chapter VI

'Fare thee weel awhile!'

Simultaneously with the conclusion of Stephen's remark, the sound of
the closing of an external door in their immediate neighbourhood reached
Elfride's ears. It came from the further side of the wing containing the
illuminated room. She then discerned, by the aid of the dusky departing
light, a figure, whose sex was undistinguishable, walking down the
gravelled path by the parterre towards the river. The figure grew
fainter, and vanished under the trees.

Mr. Swancourt's voice was heard calling out their names from a distant
corridor in the body of the building. They retraced their steps, and
found him with his coat buttoned up and his hat on, awaiting their
advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to
a successful close. The carriage was brought round, and without further
delay the trio drove away from the mansion, under the echoing gateway
arch, and along by the leafless sycamores, as the stars began to kindle
their trembling lights behind the maze of branches and twigs.

No words were spoken either by youth or maiden. Her unpractised mind was
completely occupied in fathoming its recent acquisition. The young man
who had inspired her with such novelty of feeling, who had come directly
from London on business to her father, having been brought by chance to
Endelstow House had, by some means or other, acquired the privilege
of approaching some lady he had found therein, and of honouring her by
petits soins of a marked kind,--all in the space of half an hour.

What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. As nearly as she could
guess, it was Lord Luxellian's business-room, or office. What people
were in the house? None but the governess and servants, as far as she
knew, and of these he had professed a total ignorance. Had the person
she had indistinctly seen leaving the house anything to do with the
performance? It was impossible to say without appealing to the culprit
himself, and that she would never do. The more Elfride reflected, the
more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter, and
not an appointment. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of
the woman, Elfride at once assumed that she could not be an inferior.
Stephen Smith was not the man to care about pas