certain Mr. Hartright, who accidentally met with her in the churchyard here?”
“Nobody else.”
“Mr. Hartright was employed at Limmeridge as a drawing-master, I believe? Is he a member of one of the Water-Colour Societies?”
“I believe he is,” answered Miss Halcombe.
He paused for a moment, as if he was thinking over the last answer, and then added—
“Did you find out where Anne Catherick was living, when she was in this neighbourhood?”
“Yes. At a farm on the moor, called Todd’s Corner.”
“It
about him.”
“I suppose no whispers have ever been heard against his character?”
“Mr. Hartright! I hope you are not unjust enough to let that infamous letter influence you?”
I felt the blood rush into my cheeks, for I knew that it HAD influenced me.
“I hope not,” I answered confusedly. “Perhaps