Mrs. Ray; and I didn't expect to see you. But the
odd thing is I've come here about the same business as you, though
I didn't know anything about it till yesterday."

"What business, Mr. Rowan?"

"I've bought your cottages in Baslehurst."

"No!"

"But I have, and I've paid for them too, and you're going this very
minute to Mr. Goodall to sign the deed of sale. Isn't that true? So
you see I know all about it."

"Well, that is strange! Isn't it, now?"

"The fact is I must have a bit of land at Baslehurst for building.
Tappitt will go on fighting; and as I don't mean to be beaten, I'll
have a place of my own there."

"And you'll pull down the cottages?"

"If I don't pull him down first, so as to get the old brewery. I was
obliged to buy your bit of ground now, as I might not have been able
to get any just when I wanted it. You've sold it a deal too cheap.
You tell Mr. Goodall I say so."

"But he says I'm to gain something by selling it."

"Does he? If it is so, I'm very glad of it. I only came down from
London yesterday to finish this piece of business, and I'm going back
to-day."

During all this time not a word had been said about Rachel. He had
not even asked after her in the ordinary way in which men ask after
their ordinary acquaintance. He had not looked as though he were in
the least embarrassed in speaking to Rachel's mother, and now it
seemed as though he were going away, as though all had been said
between them that he cared to say. Mrs. Ray at the first moment had
dreaded any special word; but now, as he was about to leave her, she
felt disappointed that no special word had been spoken. But he was
not as yet gone.

"I literally haven't a minute to spare," he said, offering her his
hand for a second time; "for I've two or three people to see before
I get to the train."

"Good-bye," said Mrs. Ray.

"Good-bye, Mrs. Ray. I don't think I've been very well treated among
you. I don't indeed. But I won't say any more about that at present.
Is she quite well?"

"Pretty well, thank you," said she, all of a tremble.

"I won't send her any message. As things are at present, no message
would be of any service. Good-bye." And so saying he went from her.

Mrs. Ray at that moment had no time for making up her mind as to
what she would do or say in consequence of this meeting,--or whether
she would do or say anything. She looked forward to all the leisure
time of her journey home for thinking of that; so