I am at your orders." "Excellent! Then my orders are that you shall meet the young lady on every possible occasion.

You took her for a drive ?" "Well--er--yes, I did.

You do not leave me much to tell." "Did she say anything of importance--bearing upon our inquiry, I mean ?" "Nothing.

She had not quitted the rectory since we came away.

I asked her to pick up any village gossip about the people at the Hall, and let us know at the earliest moment if she regarded it as valuable in any way." "That was thoughtful of you.