E. Phillips Oppenheim

“ The Stanmore cook was famous, and Esther's uncle had had a word or two with the butler about the wines. Nevertheless, it was an ill-balanced trio, and Stourton especially was talking all the time at random. Mr. Heslop Stanmore was quietly entertaining, but Esther was too worried at her guest's strange demeanour to find much pleasure in her uncle's conversation. She made several attempts to establish more natural relations between the two men, but without the least success. She felt all the time that there was nothing they both of them desired so much as her absence. ”

“ It is here, if you will, that one may dream of life and be happy. Yet it can be nothing save an interlude. Life is not in these woods—no, not the commencement or the end of life. It is the Paradise of dumb beasts, this. We, alas! have to seek for our Paradise in different places. ”

“ He bit his lip-it might have been to check a smile.
"I had an idea," he said, "that you were in no hurry. The tramp was!"
"In no hurry!" she repeated. "Heavens! have you ever tried lying on your face, with half of you in a furze bush, your skirts all disarranged, and no positive assurance that your leg wasn't broken?"
"I have never tried it," he answered "but I was very anxious to make acquaintance of your tramp." ”

“ I am not in a fit humour to meet people."
"There is only my uncle, and I think that perhaps he may amuse you. He is such a thorough cosmopolitan. I believe that he is equally at home in every capital of Europe, and he has the most marvellous collection of anecdotes. ”

“ She has not the slightest idea!"
Esther stepped suddenly in through the window. Her forehead was slightly wrinkled. She held something in her hand.
"My dear uncle, will you ever forgive me?" she exclaimed. "I started for the post, but I forgot all about my letter."
What followed was probably the most amazing thing Esther had ever witnessed. Her uncle made a spring for the letter which she held in her hand, only to find himself caught by the throat and flung back into his chair. Stourton stood over him, grim and threatening. Just in time he saw the glint of steel. ”

“ He seemed determined not to encourage any conversation. She, however, was of another mind.
"Are you quite alone in Heggs's cottage?" she asked.
"I have a friend with me," he answered.
"A dark, clean-shaven man, rather pale?" she inquired. ”

“ If my foot were not very painful, I would struggle on somehow or other; but I am sure that I could not manage the stiles."
"If you will excuse me for a moment," he answered, "I will fetch you a chair. There is not the slightest necessity for you to walk any further." ”