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Business being over, he turned to speak to the timber merchant But

Melbury's manner was short and distant; and Grace, too, looked vexed

and reproachful Winterborne then discovered that he had been

unwittingly bidding against her father, and picking up his favorite

lots in spite of him With a very feords they left the spot and

pursued their way homeward

Giles was extre

under the trees, all the otherstrayed silently away He

saw Melbury and his daughter pass down a glade without looking back

While they h it a lady appeared on horseback in the

upon that of

Melbury's They met, Melbury took off his hat, and she reined in her

horse A conversation was evidently in progress between Grace and her

father and this equestrian, in whonized Mrs Charroom who had halted some yards off

The interlocutors did not part till after a prolonged pause, during

which much seemed to be said When Melbury and Grace resuhter tread than before