"
"Yes, I suppose it's fairly common," agreed Coventry slowly.
As though to dismiss the topic, he returned to the matter of the repairs
required on Sparkes' farm, and for a few minutes the two men were engrossed
in details connected with the management of the estate. But Ann noticed
that Coventry seemed curiously abstracted. He allowed his cigarette to
smoulder between his fingers till it went out beneath their pressure, and
presently, bringing the discussion with Robin to a sudden close, he got up
to go. He tendered his farewell somewhat abruptly, mounted his horse, which
had been standing tethered to the gateway by its bridle, and rode away at a
hand-gallop.
Ann made no comment at the time, as Robin seemed rather preoccupied with
estate matters, but over dinner in the evening she broached the subject
upon which she had been exercising her mind at intervals throughout the
day.
"Robin, did you notice Mr. Coventry's expression when you mentioned Mrs.
Hilyard?"
Robin looked up doubtfully from one of Maria's beautifully grilled cutlets.
"His expression? No, I don't think I was looking at him particularly. He
thought she was called Hilton, or something, didn't he?"
Ann went off into a small gale of laughter.
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