Looking up as they passed under a horizontal bough they sometimes saw objects like large tadpoles lodged diametrically across it, which Giles explained to be pheasants there at roost; and they sometimes heard the report of a gun, which reminded him that others knew what those tadpole shapes represented as well as he.
Presently the doctor said what he had been going to say for some time: "Is there a young lady staying in this neighborhood--a very attractive girl--with a little white boa round her neck, and white fur round her gloves ?" Winterborne of course knew in a moment that Grace, whom he had caught the doctor peering at, was represented by these accessaries.

With a wary grimness, partly in his character, partly induced by the circumstances, he evaded an answer by saying, "I saw a young lady talking to Mrs.Charmond the other day; perhaps it was she." Fitzpiers concluded from this that Winterborne had not seen him looking over the hedge.

"It might have been," he said.

"She is quite a gentlewoman--the one I mean.

She cannot be a permanent resident in Hintock or I should have seen her before.