Presently he heard the hollow clink of two pair of feet walking toward the village.

The pedestrians were talking eagerly; and he thought, as they passed the little iron gate of his domain, he heard his own name mentioned, and then that of Mervyn.

I dare say it was mere fancy; but, somehow, he did not like it, and he walked swiftly down to the little gate by the road side--it was only some twenty yards--keeping upon the grass that bounded it, to muffle the sound of his steps.

This white phantom noiselessly stood in the shadow of the road side.

The interlocutors had got a good way on, and were talking loud and volubly.