‘It is the fault of the busybodies,’ he said; ’I cannot think what pleasure people find in meddling in other people’s affairs.  I never care what anyone else does.  I have quite enough to do thinking of my own.’

Mrs Shepherd did not answer.  ‘I see,’ he said, ’you don’t like moving, but if you remain here all the trouble we have taken not to get found out these last ten years will go for nothing.  There will be more worry and vexations, and I really don’t think I could bear much more; I believe I should go off my head.’  The little man spoke in a calm, even voice, and stroked his silky moustache gravely.

’Very well, then, my dear, I’ll return to town as soon as you like—­as soon as it is convenient.  I daresay you are right.’

’I’m sure I am.  You have never found me giving you wrong advice yet, have you, dear?’

Then they went down to the kitchen to eat the steak pudding; and when the Major had finished his second helping he lit his pipe, and the conversation turned on how they should get rid of their house, and how much the furniture would fetch.  When he had decided to sell the furniture, and had fixed the day of their departure, Mrs Shepherd said—­

’There’s one thing I have to ask you, dear, and I hope you won’t refuse my request.  I should like to see Appleton Park before I leave.  I should like to go there with Nellie and see the house and the lands that will one day belong to her.’

’I don’t know how it is to be managed.  If you were to meet my mother and sisters they would be sure to suspect something at once.’

’No one will know who I am.  I should like to walk about the grounds for half an hour with the child.  If I don’t see Appleton now I never shall see it.’

The Major stroked his long, silky moustache with his short, crabbed little hand.  He remembered that he had heard the carriage ordered for two o’clock—­they were all going to a tennis-party some miles distant.  Under the circumstances she might walk about the grounds without being noticed.  He did not think any of the gardeners would question her, and, if they did, he could trust her to give an evasive answer.  And then he would like her to see the place—­just to know what she thought of it.

‘Won’t you say yes?’ she said at last, her voice breaking the silence sharply.

’I was just thinking, dear:  they have all gone to a tennis-party today.  There’ll be no one at home.’

‘Well! why not today?’

’Well; I was thinking I’ve been lucky enough to get hold of some very interesting information about the Websters—­about their ancestor Sir Thomas, who distinguished himself in the Peninsular—­and I wanted to get it copied under the proper heading, but I daresay we can do that another day.  The only thing is, how are you to get there?  You are not equal to walking so far—­’

’I was thinking, dear, that I might take a fly.  I know there is the expense, but ...’