Then the team came on ponderously, and the clanging of its sixteen bells as it passed the discomfited carriages, tilted up against the bank, lent a particularly triumphant tone to the team's progress--a tone which, in point of fact, did not at all attach to its conductor's feelings.
Giles walked behind the timber, and just as he had got past the yet stationary carriages he heard a soft voice say, "Who is that rude man?
Not Melbury ?" The sex of the speaker was so prominent in the voice that Winterborne felt a pang of regret.
"No, ma'am.

A younger man, in a smaller way of business in Little Hintock.

Winterborne is his name." Thus they parted company.

"Why, Mr.Winterborne," said the wagoner, when they were out of hearing, "that was She--Mrs.Charmond! Who'd ha' thought it?
What in the world can a woman that does nothing be cock-watching out here at this time o' day for?
Oh, going to Italy--yes to be sure, I heard she was going abroad, she can't endure the winter here." Winterborne was vexed at the incident; the more so that he knew Mr.
Melbury, in his adoration of Hintock House, would be the first to blame him if it became known.

But saying no more, he accompanied the load to the end of the lane, and then turned back with an intention to call at South's to learn the result of the experiment of the preceding evening.
It chanced that a few minutes before this time Grace Melbury, who now rose soon enough to breakfast with her father, in spite of the unwontedness of the hour, had been commissioned by him to make the same inquiry at South's.