The noise was enough to disturb the motionless stranger, who started and assumed a careless position.
It was a slim girl, rather thinly clad.
"Good-night to you," said Gabriel, heartily.
"Good-night," said the girl to Gabriel.
The voice was unexpectedly attractive; it was the low and dulcet note suggestive of romance; common in descriptions, rare in experience.
"I'll thank you to tell me if I'm in the way for Warren's Malthouse ?" Gabriel resumed, primarily to gain the information, indirectly to get more of the music.
"Quite right.

It's at the bottom of the hill.

And do you know--" The girl hesitated and then went on again.

"Do you know how late they keep open the Buck's Head Inn ?" She seemed to be won by Gabriel's heartiness, as Gabriel had been won by her modulations.
"I don't know where the Buck's Head is, or anything about it.

Do you think of going there to-night ?" "Yes--" The woman again paused.