CHAPTER VIII.
John took his hat and stepped out once more upon the drive, and there met Dr.Blundell, who had left his dog-cart at the stables, and was walking up to the house.
He did not pause to analyze the sentiment of slight annoyance which clouded his usual good humour; but Dr.Blundell divined it, with the quickness of an ultra-sensitive nature.

He showed no signs that he had done so.
"It was you I came to see," he said, shaking hands with John.

"I heard--you know how quickly news spreads here--that you had arrived.

I hoped you might spare me a few moments for a little conversation." "Certainly," said John.

"Will you come in, or shall we take a turn ?" "You will be glad of a breath of fresh air after your journey," said the doctor, and he led the way across the south terrace, to a sheltered corner of the level plateau upon which the house was built, which was known as the fountain garden.
It was rather a deserted garden, thickly surrounded and overgrown by shrubs.