A few minutes brought him near enough to show a familiar face looking over the stiff collar and from under the soft black hat of an English clergyman.
"Good-morning, Mr.Spurling." "Ah, good-morning, Robert.

How are you?
Are you coming my way?
How slippery the roads are!" His round, kindly face was beaming with good nature, and he took little jumps as he walked, like a man who can hardly contain himself for pleasure.
"Have you heard from Hector ?" "Oh, yes.

He went off all right last Wednesday from Spithead, and he will write from Madeira.

But you generally have later news at Elmdene than I have." "I don't know whether Laura has heard.

Have you been up to see the new comer ?" "Yes; I have just left him." "Is he a married man--this Mr.Raffles Haw ?" "No, he is a bachelor.