The great court or quadrangle of the timber-merchant's house, divided from the shady lane by an ivy-covered wall, was entered by two white gates, one standing near each extremity of the wall.

It so happened that at the moment when Fitzpiers was riding out at the lower gate on his way to the Manor House, Melbury was approaching the upper gate to enter it.
Fitzpiers being in front of Melbury was seen by the latter, but the surgeon, never turning his head, did not observe his father-in-law, ambling slowly and silently along under the trees, though his horse too was a gray one.
"How is Grace ?" said his wife, as soon as he entered.
Melbury looked gloomy.

"She is not at all well," he said.

"I don't like the looks of her at all.

I couldn't bear the notion of her biding away in a strange place any longer, and I begged her to let me get her home.