Any news ?" "No, sir; not that I've heard of.

My wife wanted to persuade me she saw--" At this moment a white-haired old serving-man entered the room with a note, claiming the Rector's attention.

"The man's to take back the answer, sir, if you please." "Wait then, Simon." Old Simon stood aside, and the clerk, turning to Mrs.Ashton, continued his unfinished sentence.
"She wanted to persuade me she saw young Lord Hartledon pass at six o'clock this morning.

A very likely tale that, ma'am." "Perhaps she dreamt it, Jabez," said Mrs.Ashton, quietly.
Jabez chuckled; but what he would have answered was interrupted by the old servant.
"It's Mr.Elster that's come; not Lord Hartledon." "Mr.Elster! How do you know, Simon ?" asked Mrs.Ashton.
"The gardener mentioned it, ma'am, when he came in just now," was the servant's reply.

"He said he saw Mr.Elster walk past this morning, as if he had just come by the luggage-train.