The Woodlanders - Page 177/314

"No, now--it was nothing. I was too reproachful."

"It would not have occurred to me if I had not seen something like it

done elsewhere--at Middleton lately," he said, thoughtfully, after a

while.

"By whom?"

"Don't ask it."

She scanned him narrowly. "I know quite well enough," she returned,

indifferently. "It was by my husband, and the woman was Mrs. Charmond.

Association of ideas reminded you when you saw me....Giles--tell me all

you know about that--please do, Giles! But no--I won't hear it. Let

the subject cease. And as you are my friend, say nothing to my father."

They reached a place where their ways divided. Winterborne continued

along the highway which kept outside the copse, and Grace opened a gate

that entered it.