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Melbury and his elcomed the tith affection, and all the

house with deference They went up to explore their rooe on the left hand of the staircase, the entrance to which

could be shut off on the landing by a door that Melbury had hung for

the purpose A friendly fire was burning in the grate, although it was

not cold Fitzpiers said it was too soon for any sort ofSherton-Abbas He would walk

across to his old lodging, to learn how his locuot on in

his absence

In leaving Melbury's door he looked back at the house There was

econo under that roof, and economy was desirable, but in

soement; it immersed him so

deeply in son-in-lawship to Melbury He went on to his former

residence His deputy was out, and Fitzpiers fell into conversation

with his former landlady

"Well, Mrs Cox, what's the best news?" he asked of her, with cheery

weariness

She was a little soured at losing by his eon had proved to be duling his residence under her

roof; and the etting such another settler in the Hintock solitudes "'Tis what I