When he came out again into the hall, he found Lady Ogram standing there, reading a letter.

Seen from behind, her masses of elaborately dressed hair gave her the appearance of a young woman; when she turned at the sound of a footfall, the presentation of her parchment visage came as a shock.

She looked keenly at the visitor, and seemed to renew her approval of him.
"How do you do ?" was the curt greeting, as she gave her hand.

"Have you been over the mill ?" "Greatly to my satisfaction, Lady Ogram." "I'm glad to hear it.

We'll talk about that presently.